The Alafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was said to have died on Friday at 83
By Emma Ogbuehi
Top Yoruba traditional ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has passed on. He was 83 years old.
Multiple sources, including The Punch Newspapers and Premium Times online medium, quoted palace officials as indicating that the flamboyant monarch died in the late hours of Friday, at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The late Alaafin’s first son, Prince ‘Tunde, and other children had received the monarch’s remains at Idi-Igba, Oyo town early Saturday morning, it was gathered.
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Adeyemi ruled for 52 years before his demise, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin.
The late Alaafin who was from the Adeyemi branch of the Alowolodu family.
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 town 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.
Alaafin Adeyemi was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House of the famous Oyo town.
He was crowned on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I. He was known popularly as Iku Baba Yeye.
The late 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.
While he reigned, he was the permanent chairperson of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
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.
He was a boxing enthusiast.