By Ayodele Oni
Signs that prominent Yoruba Monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has joined his ancestors were noticed in the ancient town early Saturday morning.
Alaafin Adeyemi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, was reported to have died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
The remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, palace sources revealed.
Aged 83, Oba Adeyemi is the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is expected to make an official announcement upon receiving the report of the Monarch’s passing from the Bashorun of Oyo, Yusuf Akinade, the Head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’, who will now lead Oyo before a new Alaafin is installed.
The Monarch had been sick and a plan had been made to fly him abroad before he passed on late Friday night.
A source familiar with the medical travel plan said his tickets and those of a few wives were already procured.
His death came after the two other senior Oyo State Monarchs, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi died.
One of the last engagements of the boxer turned-Monarch was his presence at a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo state, to broker peace between Minister of the Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and National leader.of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) Bola Tinubu.
Palace Denies Passing
But a statement from the media office of the Aalafin has, however, denied the rumoured passage of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
The statement signed by Bode Durojaye, Director Media and Publicity, stated that “it has come to the notice of the Office of the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo a fake report making the wave in the social media, by a disgruntled group of bloggers, about the imaginary death of His Imperial Majesty, IKu Baba Yeye, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to disregard the unfounded report , as the Paramount Ruler is hale and hearty .
“Precisely on Monday and Tuesday this week, Oba Adeyemi, accompanied by some of his wives (Ayabas), children, aides and well wishers was at the Durbar Stadium ,Oyo, for physical fitness exercises as usual.
“He has neither fallen sick nor rushed to the hospital for any serious ailment, hence he and his family remain agile and active .
“The general public should not entertain any fear at all, as IKu Baba Yeye is healthy, physically fit and mentally stable.”
