JUST IN: Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ dies in Ekiti

By Dansu Peter 

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Ọ̀yọ́ has died. He was 83 years old. 

He reportly dies at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti. 

The top Yoruba monarch died in the late hours of Friday, according to palace officials.

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.

By tradition, the head of the Oyomesi, Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, would take over pending the appointment of a new Alaafin.

Basorun is also expected to brief the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, before an official announcement.