Adeleke imposes 24-hour curfew on Osun neighborhood

Introduction

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has taken unprecedented security measures by enforcing a 24-hour curfew in Igbajo, a town embroiled in a tense standoff over traditional rites following the death of Oba Adegboyega Famodun, the dethroned and later reinstated monarch. This emergency decree, issued amid escalating clashes between rival factions, marks a rare intervention in a regional dispute rooted in historical grievances and competing claims to tradition. The curfew is part of a broader effort by state authorities to prevent civil unrest and uphold public order, sparking debates about governance, cultural autonomy, and the limits of executive power in Nigeria.

Analysis

The Background of the Conflict

The origins of this crisis trace back to the turbulent history of Igbajo’s traditional leadership. Oba Adegboyega Famodun ascended as the 30th Owa (traditional ruler) in 2019 after Governor Adeleke anointed him through a political appointment. However, his reign was short-lived: a State High Court overturned his dethronement in 2021, ruling that the governor’s Executive Order to remove him was unconstitutional. This judicial reversal reignited tensions between the incumbent ruler, Oba Ademola Makinde (appointed by Adeleke in 2021), and Famodun’s supporters.

Triggering the Curfew: Passage Rites and Clashes

Following Famodun’s death in late November 2025, traditional protocols demanded his remains undergo protracted cleansing rites before his burial, a process termed “closure of the creativity.” Local traditionalists attempted to initiate these rites, which typically involve community-wide abstinence from labor and communal activities. However, loyalists of Governor Adeleke’s appointee, Oba Makinde, blocked these efforts, accusing the traditionalists of undermining Adeleke’s authority. The standoff escalated into violent confrontations, prompting Adeleke to impose the curfew under Section 226 of the Osun Peace Metrics Act, which authorizes emergency lockdowns during public disturbances.

Summary

Governor Adeleke’s curfew in Igbajo underscores the fragile intersection of tradition, politics, and security in Nigeria’s decentralized governance model. The order, enforcing a 24-hour lockdown by state and federal security agencies, aims to quell violence between followers of the late Oba Adeoyegba Famodun and Incumbent Owa Ademola Makinde. Rooted in a dispute over legitimacy following Famodun’s controversial reinstatement, the crisis highlights systemic challenges in reconciling hereditary authority with modern institutional governance.

Key Points

Practical Advice for Residents

Resident Compliance

• Refrain from leaving homes until further notice to avoid legal repercussions under Section 222 of the Osun Public Order Act.
• Avoid confrontations between pro-Makinde and pro-Famodun groups, which risk arrest or injury.

Conflict Resolution Strategies

Authority Coordination

• Urge local leaders to engage in dialogues facilitated by Adeleke’s administration to reconcile traditional and electoral loyalties.
• Support community mediation efforts to prevent recurrence of similar crises.

Points of Caution

Legal and Constitutional Risks

While Adeleke asserts authority under Section 226 of the Osun Peace Metrics Act, critics argue the curfew risks infringing on citizens’ rights to movement under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (Section 35). Legal experts warn prolonged curfews could set precedents for misuse of executive power in culturally sensitive disputes.

Traditional Leadership Limitations

Despite efforts to honor customary practices, the Oba’s de jure authority remains constrained by Adeleke’s political appointment. Any resurgence of Famodun’s faction outside court-sanctioned processes risks renewed conflict.

Comparison

Historical Parallels in Nigerian Governance

This crisis mirrors the 2019 Ife Chieftaincy crisis, where Adeleke intervened militarily to dispel traditional rulers backing corruption allegations. Both incidents reveal tensions between centralized governance and decentralized traditional hierarchies. Similar to the 2015 Taraba Danjuma crisis, where security forces quelled tribal rivalries over tittled lands, the Igbajo curfew prioritizes immediate order over protracted dialogue.

Legal Implications

Constitutional Limits on Curfew Power

Under Nigeria’s Public Order Act, curfews require presidential or judicial approval if lasting over 24 hours. Adeleke’s unilateral delegation of enforcement to security forces bypasses these safeguards, raising constitutional concerns. The Osun State High Court’s 2023 ruling in *Olusola v. Adeleke* cautioned against gubernatorial overreach in enforcing traditional norms, granting standing to Igbajo residents to challenge the curfew possibly.

Conclusion

The Osun State curfew exemplifies the complex interplay of ethnic, cultural, and political interests in Nigeria’s multicultural fabric. While Adeleke’s intervention aims to restore calm, its long-term success hinges on balancing security imperatives with respect for traditional governance structures. As communities grapple with this dual authority, the incident serves as a case study in the constitutional and socio-cultural tensions shaping governance across West Africa’s most populous nation.

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