A 24‑hour curfew imposed by Governor Ademola Adeleke on the ancient town of Igbajo has reignited the controversy over the late Oba Philip Adegboyega Famodun, whose death on 28 November sparked both mourning and a showdown between traditional chiefs and the state government.
The curfew, announced on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, was said to be “necessary to prevent unrest” after loyalists of the former APC chairman‑turned‑monarch clashed with supporters of the governor’s appointee, Ademola Makinde. Residents reported that the lockdown, enforced by police, the military, the DSS and the NSCDC, has left markets shuttered and daily life at a standstill.
Legal battles have further complicated the matter. Although Governor Adeleke’s administration issued a white‑paper in 2022 declaring Makinde the rightful Owa, the Osun State High Court ruled on 30 January 2025 that the governor’s appointee could not “parade himself as monarch” and affirmed that Oba Famodun remained the legitimate Owa. The court’s decision, however, is being appealed by the state government.
In response, the chiefs of Igbajo have publicly reaffirmed their recognition of Famodun as their king and have insisted on completing all customary rites before his burial. Their stance is being interpreted by many townspeople as a rebuke to the governor’s executive order and a testament to the deep affection the late monarch enjoyed among his people.
“The majority of Igbajo’s residents loved him as their king,” said a community elder who asked not to be named. “The curfew only underscores how upset they are with the governor’s refusal to accept the court’s ruling.”
Political observers note that the episode carries a broader lesson about the intersection of politics and tradition. “When leaders let partisan interests override the will of the people and the rulings of the courts, it erodes trust in both institutions,” remarked
Governor Adeleke, in a condolence message issued on 30 November, expressed “deep shock and sorrow” over the death of Oba Famodun and called for peace, urging citizens to “maintain harmony and avoid any action that could disturb the peace of our community”
As the curfew remains in effect, the Igbajo community is being urged to remain calm while the legal process runs its course. “Nothing is more precious than harmony,” the governor’s statement concluded.
The situation remains fluid, with the High Court’s ruling still under appeal and the curfew awaiting review.
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