Alaafin Oyo dies in Ekiti, after 52 years on throne 

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has passed on, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Fresh Insight has gathered.

The deceased Adeyemi, the third Alaafin from the Alowodu Ruling House, died in the late yesterday (Friday) at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

Traditional rites began immediately the remains arrived remains arrived Oyo in the early hours of today (Saturday) according to palace sources.

He was 83 years old and 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. All happened in less than five months.

He 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. Mr Adeyemi’s predecessor, Bello Ladigbolu, was from the Agunloye House.