The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has passed on. This development was confirmed by the Palace of Oyo.
The spokesperson for the late Oba, Bode Durojaye, confirmed the death in a statement to newsmen.
He said, “Alaafin is dead. Details in due course.”
According to reports, the monarch who clocked 83 years on October 15, was receiving treatment at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti where he gave up the ghost.
Oba Adeyemi was born on October 15, 1938. Adeyemi ruled for 52 years before his demise, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin.
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.
By tradition, the head of the Oyomesi, Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, would take over pending the appointment of a new Alaafin.
Sadly, the monarch is the third prominent Oba to have died in Oyo State in less than five months.
It could be recalled that the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Okadunni Oyewumi died on December 12, 2021, the late Olubadan of Ibadan, died on January 2, 2022 and the Alaafin died on April 22.
It could also be recalled that the Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Abdul-Azeez Adewuyi died in December 2021 and the monarch of Ikoyi town in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Abdulyekeen Ayinla died in April 2022.
The Nigerian Canadian Newspaper commiserates with late Monarch’s family over this loss.
