••• It's A Rumour, Says Alaafin's Media Aide
By Niyi Ogungbola
A prominent Yoruba monarch, the Iku Baba Yeye, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has has joined his ancestors.
According to source close to the palace, Alaafin Adeyemi, the third joined his ancestors in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State in South-West Nigeria.
The late Alaafin was 83 years old and the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years. The late Alaafin of Oyo was from the Adeyemi branch of the Alowolodu family. He was born on October 15, 1938.
During his late childhood stage, he lived briefly at Iseyin. Adeyemi III was the son of Oba Raji Olaniyan 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.
The remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were said to have been brought to Oyo town, 62 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, First Awareness gathered.
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.
A source familiar with the medical travel plan said his tickets and those of a few wives were already procured.
His death came months after the two other senior Oyo State monarchs – the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi – died. All happened in less than five months.
He was crowned on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I. He was known popularly as Iku Baba Yeye.
While he reigned, he was the permanent chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
With the demise of Alaafin Adeyemi, First Awareness learnt that, it is now the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House to produce the next Oyo monarch. Oba Adeyemi’s predecessor, Alaafin Ladigbolu, was from the Agunloye House.
Meanwhile,Alaafin's Media and Publicity Director, Bode Durojaye says the reported death of Alaafin Adeyemi is a rumour.
In a release refuting the report, Bode Durojaiye, states, "It has come to the notice of the Office of the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo about a fake report making the wave in the social media, by a disgruntled group of bloggers, about the imaginary death of His Imperial Majesty, IKu Baba Yeye, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, the Alaafin of Oyo.
Members of the public are hereby urged to disregard the unfounded report , as the Paramount Ruler is hale and hearty .
Precisely on Monday and Tuesday this week, Oba Adeyemi, accompanied by some of his wives (Ayabas), children, aides and well wishers was at the Durbar Stadium ,Oyo, for physical fitness exercises as usual.
He has neither fallen sick nor rushed to the hospital for any serious ailment, hence he and his family remain agile and active .
The general public should not entertain any fear at all, as IKu Baba Yeye is healthy, physically fit and mentally stable."Durojaye stated.
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