Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi, joins his ancestors

Top Yoruba Monarch Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi, in the early hours of Saturday joined his ancestors, multiple sources have confirmed.
A palace official however released a statement countering the report, saying the Alaafin is actually hale and hearty.
Oba Adeyemi, the third from the Adeyemi branch of the Alowodu Ruling House, reportedly died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
The remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, palace sources told this newspaper. The late Alaafin’s first son, Prince ‘Tunde, and other children had received the monarch’s remains at Idi-Igba, Oyo town early Saturday morning.
Palace sources confirmed that traditional rites had begun without giving details about his burial arrangement yet.
Adeyemi ruled for 52 years before his demise, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin.
Adeyemi III was the son of Oba Adeyemi II, the former Alaafin of Oyo who was deposed and sent into exile in 1954 for having sympathy for the National Council of Nigerian Citizens.
He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970 and was crowned on January 14, 1971. He was 83 years old and the longest-reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years. He was born on October 15, 1938.
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, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola, the head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’, who will now lead Oyo before a new Alaafin is installed.
The monarch had been sick and a plan had been made to fly him abroad before he passed on late Friday night.
A source familiar with the medical travel plan said his tickets and those of a few wives were already procured.
His death came after the two other senior Oyo State monarchs – the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi – died. All happened in less than five months.
A new Olubadan has been installed but the Soun remains vacant.
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 House.
In a statement titled: Alaafin Oyo RUMOURED DEATH Unfounded, a palace official wrote:
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 on 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.
Members of the public are hereby urged to disregard the unfounded report, as the Paramount Ruler is hale and hearty.
Precisely on Monday and Tuesday this week, Oba Adeyemi, accompanied by some of his wives (Ayabas), children, aides and well-wishers were at the Durbar Stadium, Oyo, for physical fitness exercises as usual.
He has neither fallen sick nor been 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.

Signed
‘Bode Durojaiye, Alaafin’s Media and Publicity Director.