The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, passed away last night.
He was 83 years old and the longest-reigning Alaafin in history, reigning for more than 52 years.
At the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Oba Lamidi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, joined his predecessors.
His remains were alleged to have been transported to Oyo town on Saturday morning and greeted at Idi-Igba by his first son, Prince Tunde, and his other siblings.
Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, is expected to make an official declaration after getting word of the monarch’s death from Yusuf Akinade, the head of the “Oyo Mesi,” who would now oversee Oyo town until a new Alaafin is installed.
According to unconfirmed sources, the supreme ruler was sick and a plan was formed to fly him overseas before he died late Friday night.
According to a source acquainted with the medical travel plan, his and a few wives’ tickets had already been purchased.
His death occurred just months after the state’s two first-class monarchs, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, joined their predecessors.
The Olubadan, Oba Adetunji, joined his ancestors on January 2, 2022, while the Soun, Oba Oyewumi, joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021.
On the other hand, the Alaafin, Oba Adeyemi, was born on October 15, 1938, into the Alowolodu Royal House of Oyo’s famous Oyo town.
On November 18, 1970, he was crowned, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I.
Iku Baba Yeye was his popular name.
He was the Chairperson of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs throughout his reign.
With the demise of Alaafin Adeyemi, it is now the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House to produce the next Oyo monarch. Mr Adeyemi’s predecessor, Alaafin Ladigbolu, was from the Agunloye House.
