Nigerian Political Parties Clash Over Curfew During Royal Burial
A bitter political dispute has erupted in Nigeria's Osun State between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) over the government's decision to impose a 24-hour curfew during traditional burial rites for a deceased monarch.
The controversy centers on the death of Oba Philip Adegboyega Famodun, the embattled Owa of Igbajoland, who passed away on Friday in Abuja. His death triggered immediate political tensions that underscore deeper governance issues in the West African state.
Opposition Challenges Government Authority
The APC launched a scathing attack on Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration, accusing it of deliberately disrupting sacred traditional ceremonies. Party spokesman Kola Olabisi condemned what he termed the government's "pathological hatred" for the deceased monarch.
"It is disheartening that the Governor Adeleke-led government could not hide its pathological hatred for the deceased Oba Famodun even in death," declared APC chairman Tajudeen Lawal.
The opposition party particularly criticized the timing of the curfew, which coincided with the commencement of seven-day traditional burial rites that began on Sunday. Such interference in customary practices raises questions about the appropriate limits of state intervention in cultural affairs.
Government Defends Security Measures
The PDP-controlled state government justified its actions by citing credible security intelligence indicating potential violence. Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi announced the curfew following reports of law and order breakdown from Sunday night into Monday morning.
Governor Adeleke's security adviser, Samuel Ojo, provided intelligence suggesting escalating tensions among residents following the monarch's death. The government maintains it acted within constitutional boundaries to prevent potential bloodshed.
PDP chairman Sunday Bisi countered APC criticisms by questioning the opposition's commitment to the late monarch during his lifetime. "The APC should explain why it abandoned the late Gboyega Famodun in his hours of needs instead of blaming the state government," Bisi stated.
Complex Legal Background
The dispute carries additional complexity due to the monarch's contested legitimacy. Although crowned in November 2022, Oba Famodun's installation was initially nullified by executive action before being reinstated by the Osun State High Court on January 31, 2025.
This legal uncertainty may have contributed to current tensions, as different factions likely hold varying views on the deceased ruler's rightful status and appropriate burial protocols.
Broader Governance Implications
The incident highlights recurring challenges in Nigerian governance, particularly the balance between maintaining public order and respecting traditional institutions. Both parties reference past communal clashes in the state, suggesting a pattern of administrative struggles with local tensions.
The APC's call for Inspector-General of Police intervention indicates distrust in state-level security arrangements, while the PDP's emphasis on constitutional authority reflects standard defensive positioning by governing parties.
Such political disputes over cultural and traditional matters demonstrate the ongoing tension between modern democratic governance and Nigeria's rich heritage of customary institutions. The resolution of this conflict may set important precedents for future interactions between state authority and traditional practices.
Both parties have urged federal police intervention, suggesting local political dynamics may require external mediation to prevent further escalation in this sensitive matter.