According to sources, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has died.
Alaafin Adeyemi, the third member of the Alowodu Ruling House, died late Friday at Ado Ekiti’s Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital.
According to palace sources, the remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began.
He was 83 years old and had reigned for 52 years, the longest reigning Alaafin in history.
Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, is expected to make an official announcement upon receiving word of the monarch’s demise from Yusuf Akinade, the Bashorun of Oyo and head of the ‘Oyo Mesi,’ who will now lead Oyo until a new Alaafin is installed.
The monarch had been ill, and arrangements had been made for him to be flown abroad before he died late Friday night.
According to a source familiar with the medical travel plan, his tickets, as well as those of a few wives, had already been purchased.
His demise followed that of two other senior Oyo State monarchs – Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan, and Jimoh Oyewumi, the Soun of Ogbomoso. Everything transpired in less than five months.
Although a new Olubadan has been installed, the throne of Soun remains vacant.
Alaafin Adeyemi was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 into the illustrious Alowolodu Royal House of the Oyo empire.
He succeeded Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I as Oba on November 18, 1970. He was popularly referred to as Iku Baba Yeye.
He was the permanent chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs during his reign.
With Alaafin Adeyemi’s demise, it is now the Agunloye Ruling House’s turn to produce the next Oyo monarch. Bello Ladigbolu, Mr Adeyemi’s predecessor, was from the Agunloye House.