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Top Yoruba traditional ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has been confirmed dead.
Naija News understands that the longest-reigning Alaafin died at age 83.
Oba Adeyemi has served as Alaafin of Oyo for 52 years.
The monarch who is said to be the third from the Alowodu Ruling House passed on 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.
A source who confided in the news platform revealed on Saturday morning that Oba Lamidi’s travel tickets and those of some of his few wives were already procured before the monarch suddenly went to meet his ancestors.
Naija News understands that Alaafin’s death is coming a few months after the two other senior Oyo State monarchs – the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi had died.
The State has witnessed the death of its top monarchs just in less than five months.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is, however, yet to make an official statement on Alaafin of Oyo’s demise, Naija News reports.
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.
