The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, is dead.
His media aide, Mr Bode Durojaiye, confirmed the report to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.
In a telephone interview with NAN, Durojaiye simply said, “Won ti ku” (He is dead).
According to him, “It is true; the Alaafin has joined his ancestors. We are there now.”
Adeyemi was said to have died on Friday night at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, where he had gone for routine medical checkup.
NAN reports that within the last five months, Oyo State had lost three prominent traditional rulers: the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who died in December, 2021; Oba Saliu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, died on Jan. 2 and now the Alaafin of Oyo.
The first class oba, who reigned for 52 years, departed at the age of 83.
Meanwhile, Gov. Seyi Makinde is expected to make an official announcement upon receiving the report of the traditional ruler’s passage.
NAN gathered that the remains of Alaafin were brought to Oyo on Saturday morning to commence the necessary traditional rites on his passage. (NAN)