Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Joins His Ancestors As Palace Media Rep Claim Has Been Debunked

The claim by Oyo Palace and Alaafin’s Director of Publicity and Media Affairs, Bode Durojaiye disclaiming that Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi joined his ancestors on Friday night as contained in a press release has been debunked by evidences on ground and social atmosphere in Oyo town.

Durojaiye had said that the death claim was a rumours being peddled by certain disgruntled group of bloggers, describibg the news as imaginary. death of Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has been debunked and described as unfounded by the palace.

According to a Press release by Bode Durojaiye, the rumours had been peddled by certain disgruntled group of bloggers, describibg the news as imaginary.

The short press relase read: “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.

Durojaiye had urged members of the public to disregard the report claiming the Paramount Ruler was hale and hearty .

However, the city of Oyo is agog with festivities and traditional rites as the death of the monarch has been confirmed and the Oyo Mesi kingmakers body are in deliberations on the monarch’s burial and the emergence of a ne Alaafin.

Precisely on Monday and Tuesday this week, Oba Adeyemi, accompanied by some of his wives (Ayabas), children, aides and well wishers were visible at Durbar Stadium ,Oyo, where he performed his for physical fitness exercises.

The high profile Yoruba Monarch reportedly passed on, receiving the baton of passage to eternity late on Friday, breathing his last at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado  Ekiti. He was aged 83 old and holds the record as the longest serving monarch in history holding Oyo stool for 52 years.

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was from the Alawodu ruling house in the ancient Oyo town and until his death was a high profile monarch, rich in history and unique as a tradition teacher.

His remains had been brought to his base in Oyo town and an official announcement of his death and plans about his burial would be announced by the governor of Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde with the Oyo Mesi kingmakers commencing the traditional rites. The governor is expected to make an official announcement upon receiving the report of the monarch’s passing on from the Oyo king makers led by Bashorun of Oyo, Yusuf Akinade, who is the current head of ‘Oyo Mesi’,, Akinade would be leading the rituals for the commencement of the procedure for the installlation of a new Monarch in Oyo ancient town.

Informed source had hinted of an earlier plan to fly the respected monarch abroad as his health condition deteriorated in the past week but his condition got worse leading to his surrender to his divine call to eternity.

It was revealed that his flying ticket and that of some of his wives had been procured in antivcipation of his being flown abraod for medical attention.

Alaafin Adeyemi was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House of the famous Oyo town.

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 chairperson of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

With the demise of Alaafin Adeyemi, it is now the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House to produce the next Oyo monarch. Mr Adeyemi’s predecessor, Alaafin Ladigbolu.

The remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler was brought to Oyo in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, palace sources revealed.

He was 83 years old and the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.

Two other Monarchs had passed on in the past five months as in Oyo State, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi had also joined their ancestors. 

However, a new Olubadan has emerged but the stool of the Soun is yet to be filled.

With the demise of Alaafin Adeyemi, it is now the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House to produce the next Oyo monarch. 

Adeyemi’s predecessor, Bello Ladigbolu, was from the Agunloye Royal House.

ANNOUNCING THE PASSAGE OF AN ALAAFIN OF OYO.

Though Alaafin has stopped breathing, the Oyomesi must not announce it until they have conducted all necessary rituals and consulted the gods to ensure he arrived safely. But unfortunately, social media has really revealed what should be kept secret until traditional rites ought to have been carried out.

Culturally and traditionally, the announcement of the collapse of pillar of Oyo (Oranmiyan) will start with Alapini sending messages that Gbẹ̀du drum be beaten in all domains of his ṣenior brothers (6 other sons of Odùduwà – Alake, Oniketu, Òní Sábẹ́ etc).

Upon the hearing of the drum, they are expected to stay indoor for 7 days, mourn their junior brother who by providence owns all the palaces and carry out some rituals.

Upon completion of these rituals, they will Paroko to Arole (Ooni). Arole will in turn perform certain ritual rights at Ilé Ifè by the staff of Oranmiyan who will in turn send emissary (paroko) to Bashorun in Oyo to close the curtains of the Palace.

It is after this that Bashorun has the right to the meeting of Ọ̀yọ́ Mesi (only Alapini is excluded from the meeting for obvious reason who will then inform them that the land is spoilt.

It is the Oyo Mesi members that will in turn announce the spoiling of the land to territories and areas they oversee throughout the Empire. Bashorun will also give permission to Aare Ona Kakanfo to ensure that the Empire must be secured and put all Esos at alert because the land is spoilt.

This process may take roughly 6 weeks before it come to the general knowledge of the public. The announcement used to be a delicate process in the past because some people must follow the king on the journey, he doesn’t travel alone, and as such, preparation of such that will travel with him has to be done with high level of emotional intelligence.

Ní ìgbà ìwásẹ̀, a kì í tú’fọ̀ Aláàfin lálẹ̀de Ọ̀yọ́, “Ilẹ́ bàjẹ́ l’Óde Ọ̀yọ́” ni wọ́n ńwí.

Traditionally, until the confirmation comes from the Prime Minister and all the rights performed to the stage of Bashorun informing Oyo Mesi, its still a rumour, despite the fact that it must have been to the knowledge of who and who throughout the Empire.

But let me quickly add that this was then and not now. This is just the summary of how it used to be. Modernity has completely taken over everything. Nobody follows Aláàfin on such a journey again, no Àrokò anywhere again (Internet has taken over), Aláàfin leaves Palace nowadays (it is in the past that they will say, the òń rọ̀’Yọ́ òń kánjú, Aláàfin ò rẹ bìkan, so, ordinarily, it was virtually unimaginable for the land to be spoilt outside Oyo Palace) etc.