The top Yoruba traditional
ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has been confirmed dead.
He was the longest-reigning
Alaafin died at age 83 and served as Alaafin of Oyo for 52 years.
The monarch who is said to be
the third from the Alowodu Ruling House passed on Friday night at the Afe
Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
An insider from the palace had
told Premium Times that Alaafin’s corpse was brought to Oyo town, the Oyo State
capital, very early on Saturday and that traditional rites have since begun.
Alaafin is said to have been
seriously sick and a plan had been made to fly him abroad before he gave up the
ghost last night.
As it stands, the Bashorun of
Oyo, Yusuf Akinade, the head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’ is expected to now assume the
leadership of Oyo town prior to when a new Alaafin would be installed.
