BREAKING: Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, joins ancestors at 83

By Akinwande Soji-Ojo

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has joined his ancestors.

He was 83 years old.

The top Yoruba monarch died in the late hours of Friday, according to palace officials.

It was gathered that Oba Adeyemi died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

According to reports, the monarch’s first son, Prince ‘Tunde, and other children had received the monarch’s remains at Idi-Igba, Oyo town early Saturday morning.

Adeyemi ruled for 52 years before his demise, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin.

By tradition, the head of the Oyomesi, Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, would take over pending the appointment of a new Alaafin.

Basorun is also expected to brief the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, before an official announcement.

The late Alaafin of Oyo was from the Adeyemi clan of the Alowolodu family. He was born on October 15, 1938.

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.

He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970 and was crowned on January 14, 1971.

Adeyemi’s death came after the demise of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, and Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who died on December 12, 2021, and January 2, 2022, respectively.