The belief was that if the Abobaku was not buried with the king, the community would record serious calamity.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Following the death of a top Yoruba traditional ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III yesterday, the subject of Abobaku, the man whom they say should die with the king, has come to the fore again, topping Twitter trend.
The issue of Abobaku became prominent after the death of Oba Sijuade Okunade, the late Ooni of Ife. It was rumoured that another man would be buried with him, the Abobaku, who, during the Ooni’s lifetime, enjoyed the same privileges as the Oba and must also share in his death.
The belief was that if the Abobaku was not buried with the king, the community would record serious calamity.
A top chief of Ife, the Lowa Adimula of Ile-Ife, Adeyeye Adekola Adesiyan, says the claim that a deceased Ooni of Ife is buried alongside their closest aide, abobaku, is not true.
In an interview with BBC Yoruba last year, Adesiyan, who served as abobaku to Ooni Sijuwade Okunade for 14 years, said abobaku was Ooni’s aide-de-camp.
In another interview with The Punch last year, Adesiyan said an abobaku may die over shock on learning about the death of his Oba because of their closeness. He said it is akin to the kind of thing that happens for some husbands and wives that love and trust each other so much that If one should die, the other may not survive for long
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On Twitter, Nigerians have been bantering on the issue following the death of the Alaafin
@Tee_Classiquem1 said: “The title of Abobaku has to be one of the most scariest title to ever existed in Yoruba land, so now that Alaafin of Oyo is dead automatically he will also be announced dead even though he’s still hale and healthy? Well it can never be me sha, i swear they wont see my break light.”
@Phoenix4721 said: “Abobaku should not japa abeg. You cannot flex life with baba and run away this time.”
@PhemmyEyeOfGod said: “Justice for alaafin of Oyo. How abobaku go chop life of over 5 decades japa in the space of few hours help us find abobaku.”