Disagreement between the Bepo-Aromolaran royal family, Agba Ijesas, and the Owa-in-Council appears to have taken a new shape as a result of two distinct dates declared for the late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran’s final farewell.
A funeral invitation obtained by WITHIN NIGERIA showed that the Bepo-Aromolaran royal family, in collaboration with the Ijesa Traditional Council, has planned a celebration of the late Oba Adekunle Aromolaran‘s life of service on November 23 and 24, 2024.
In a press statement issued by the Owa-in-Council and Agba Ijesas as seen on TheNation, it was revealed that the late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II will be laid to rest on December 14 and 15, 2024.
Findings by WITHIN NIGERIA, Prince Adeola Aromolaran, the first son of the late Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, supports the dates of December 14 and 15, 2024 picked by the Owa-in-Council and Agba Ijesa.
It was also gathered that the late Oba Aromolaran’s third wife, some sons and daughters of the late king, such as Prince Adebiyi Aromolaran, Prince Adegoke Aromolaran, Princess Adetayo Aluko nee Aromolaran, and others, as well as other prominent members of the Bepo-Aromolaran royal family, support November 23 and 24, 2024.
However, additional findings by WITHIN NIGERIA disclosed that the Agba Ijesas, who number 28, are badly divided into two caucuses: one caucus supports November 24 and 25, 2024, while the other supports December 14 and 15, 2024.
When contacted by WITHIN NIGERIA, a renowned Ijesa chief who prefers anonymity revealed that tradition requires the entire Ijesaland to observe a mandatory 90-day mourning period before determining the date of final burial.
A check by WITHIN NIGERIA also revealed that the late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran was declared dead on September 12, 2024.
As of November 23, a date chosen by the Bepo-Aromolaran royal family in collaboration with Owa-in-Council, the days of mourning totaled 72, 18 days less than the customary 90 days of mourning.
Some Ijesa chiefs tagged the family’s decision to choose November 23 and 24, 2024 for final burial as a gross violation of tradition and cultural procedure.
However, the actual 90 days of mourning would end on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
“The decision of Prince Adeola and some Agba Ijesas to pick December 14 and 15, 2024 is accurate and in tandem with the traditions” , an Ilesa chief stated.
When asked if Ijesa chiefs and some kings from neighboring towns in Ijesaland who would attend the November 23 and 24, 2024 ceremony were unaware of the mandatory 90 days of mourning before final burial for any deceased Owa, the chief responded that all attendees who are traditional chiefs in Ilesa or kings from neighboring towns within Ijesaland are fully aware of the 90 mourning days.
“The situation is more of a family issue than a community concern. The family’s disagreements could not help the community achieve an accord. The first son not really known or publicly associated with late Owa and the rest of the family do not get along well, which is why the dates differ. However, the real date for the final burial of Late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran should be after December 11, 2024, when the 90-day period of mourning is over,” the chief noted.
