Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has expressed delight that Nigerian traditional rulers are beginning to ditch what he called the barbaric culture that requires a new monarch to eat the heart of his predecessor.

Sani said this after the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, requested to be buried according to Islamic rites.

MyNigeria learnt that during the burial of the monarch who passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday, soldiers were on the ground to prevent traditionalists from having access to his corpse.

Reacting to the development, Sani said on X, "I’m delighted to see that many traditional institutions in this country are dropping the fetish practices associated with royal succession when their Kings or Chiefs die. There is a community in the Central part of this country where the new monarch has to ‘eat the Heart’ of the late Monarch before ascending the throne. I hope they have stopped. We must separate our culture from barbarity."

Also, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, backed the new development, saying kings should not be butchered like animals after they die.

The monarch said, “The sanctity of Yoruba traditional institution has been protected by the process adopted in burying the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

“Kings are servants to their subjects. They are honourable men who have sacrificed themselves in the interest of their people.

“Honour doesn’t die with the king. They should be honoured to the grave and beyond, and not butchered like an animal after death.‎

“The noble order of burial rites for Awujale is a win for the Yoruba race, particularly myself. It’s a freedom of Yoruba traditional rulers from physical and spiritual oppression after their death.”

Oba Akanbi added, “The burial process to be adopted in burying Yoruba traditional rulers should be on the recommendation of the king before his passage or his family after his death.

“The seizure of the king’s corpse from his family by any secret group should be optional, depending on the wishes of his family.”

He vowed to keep campaigning against all forms of idol worship and traditional cult practices in his area.

“In Iwo, I have freed the Oluwo stool from the bondage since my ascension 10 years ago.

“The Osugbos and the Ogbonis have no relation with the Yoruba monarchy. Every attempt to enslave the stool will be eternally restricted by my stool.

“Iwo throne can never be subjected to the command of any secret society. I have freed my town. Even after my death, I trust Iwo people, they will never condone absurdity.”

ASA