• He was the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.
Prominent Yoruba king, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has passed on at the age of 83 years.
Alaafin Adeyemi, the 3rd from the Alowolodu Ruling House, died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.
The remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo town, 62 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, according topalace sources.
He was the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.
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 the place had been arranging to fly him abroad for treatment before his passing away late on Friday night.
A source familiar with the medical travel plan said his tickets and those of a few wives were already procured.
He was crowned on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu 1.