Alaafin of Oyo to be buried today, says palace

Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo, will be buried today.

Yusuf Ayoola, head of the Oyomesi, while addressing journalists at the palace, confirmed that Adeyemi died at Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti on Friday night.

He also disclosed that the monarch will be buried at 4pm today.

“We have called the Imam. Baba will be buried today around 4pm,” he said.

Ayoola added that the necessary rites of passage had been performed.

TheCable reported that the Alaafin had been ill, but later succumbed to his illness.

He was 83 years old and had been on the throne for 52 years — the longest-reigning monarch.

Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970 and was crowned on January 14, 1971. To prepare him for the throne, Adeyemi lived in several palaces in some parts of Yoruba land.

A lover of boxing, the king was known for marrying several young women in his old age. In 2018, the king had three sets of twins from three of his queens.

Ayoola as Bashorun of Oyo will take over pending the appointment of a new Alaafin.