Top Yoruba traditional ruler, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has been confirmed dead.
We understands that the longest-reigning Alaafin died at age 83.
For the past 52 years, Oba Adeyemi has served as Alaafin of Oyo.
The monarch, who is reported to be the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday night.
Alaafin’s body was taken to Oyo town, the capital of Oyo State, very early on Saturday, according to a palace insider, and customary rites have since commenced.
Alaafin was thought to be extremely ill, and a plan had been put in place to fly him abroad before he died 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.
He State has witnessed the death of its top monarchs just in less than five months.
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.
