Alaafin’s Death: Residents Mourn, Besiege The Palace (Photos)

–No official announcement would be made until final funeral rites-Source

Sources from the ancient palace of Oyo town say, the highly revered monarch, Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III has joined his ancestors.

Alaafin died at 83.

Alaafin Adeyemi III was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House, and as a member of the House of Oranmiyan to Raji Adeniran Adeyemi (born 1871), who later became Alaafin in 1945, and Ibironke of Epo-Gingin.

Kaabiesi Lamidi Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970, during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, after the end of the Nigerian Civil War.

In 1975, the head of state General Murtala Ramat Muhammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage to the hajj.

He was chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992.

In 1990, President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.

The Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, ‘Bode Durojaiye has debunked the death rumours of His Imperial Majesty, IKu Baba Yeye, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, the Alaafin of Oyo.

‘Bode Durojaiye while reacting to the rumours in a statement on Saturday, urged the general public to disregard the unfounded report , stated that the Paramount Ruler is hale and hearty .

According to him, “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”, he stated.

However, a source within the palace who preferred anonymity told CityMirrorNews that there won’t be any official announcement until the Traditional rites are concluded .

He said Baba is gone already jare, it happened to many late Kabiyesis too, they will hide the information for a period of time for them to perform traditional rite before the official pronouncement.

Meanwhile Residents of the ancient town have besieged the palace in their large numbers to pay last respect to the paramount Traditional ruler.