One of the foremost monarchs of Yorubaland, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has reportedly passed on at 83.
According to PremiumTimes, Alaafin Adeyemi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.
The body of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo town in the early hours of Saturday where it was received by his eldest son, Prince Tunde, at Idi-Abba. and traditional rites began, palace sources told the publication.
The 83-year-old was the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.
Meanwhile, by tradition, the head of the Oyomesi, Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, would take over pending the appointment of a new Alaafin while Basorun is also expected to brief the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, before an official announcement.
The monarch had reportedly been sick and a plan had been made to fly him abroad before he passed on late Friday night.
The Alaafin of Oyo was from the Adeyemi branch of the Alowolodu family. He was born on October 15, 1938. During his late childhood stage, he lived briefly at Iseyin.
He was a lover of boxing, as he was a boxer before ascending the throne of his Fathers.
Adeyemi III was the son of Oba Adeyemi II, the former Alaafin of Oyo who was deposed and sent into exile in 1954 for having sympathy for the National Council of Nigerian Citizens.
He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970 and was crowned on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I. He was known popularly as Iku Baba Yeye.
While he reigned, he was the permanent chairperson of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
With the demise of Alaafin Adeyemi, it is now the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House to produce the next Oyo monarch. Adeyemi’s predecessor, Alaafin Ladigbolu, was from the Agunloye House.
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Adeyemi’s death came after the demise of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Saliu Adetunji, who died on December 12, 2021, and January 2, 2022, respectively.
May his soul rest in peace.
