Alaafin’s demise throws media aide in confusion, as late monarch’s burial rites begins

Barely hours after announcing the demise of the Alaafin Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the late monarch’s media aide, Bode Durojaiye, rushed to the social media space to refute the report.

This is as many within the Palace circle say the media aide was misinformed as to how to handle the demise of a First Class and iconic traditional ruler as the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

In a statement, Durojaiye reportedly made available to the media, early Saturday, he confirmed that Oba Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, had died, ‘Friday night at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, where he had gone for routine medical checkup,’ only for him to refute the claims in a release, later same Saturday, denying the death of the monarch, who he said ‘as IKu Baba Yeye is healthy, physically fit and mentally stable.’

It would be recalled that Durojaiye had in a statement, early Saturday, said:

“The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, is dead. His Media Aide, Mr Bode Durojaiye, confirmed the reports to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

“In a telephone interview, Durojaiye simply said, “Won ti ku” (He is dead).

“According to him, it is true; the Alaafin had joined his ancestors. We are there now.

“Adeyemi was said to have joined his ancestors on Friday night at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, where he had gone for routine medical checkup.”

However, hours later in a statement titled; ‘ALAAFIN OF OYO RUMOURED DEATH UNFOUNDED,’ the media aide said: “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 in 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 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.

“Signed

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

A top traditional ruler reacted to the counter-statements, saying, ‘There are traditional ways of breaking such news”.

This implies that the media aide may have retracted his earlier statement upon reaslising that he mey have erred on the side of tradition.

Meanwhile, in the Oyo Chieftaincy Council, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, late Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, had earlier died in December, 2021, while Oba Saliu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, died on January 2 and now the Alaafin of Oyo.

Oba Adeyemi reigned for 52 years, and died at the age of 83.

Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III was also the longest-reigning ruler of the kingdom since his great-grandfather, Oba Atiba Atobatele founded New Oyo in the 1830s.

Oyo State Governor, Gov. Seyi Makinde, is now expected to make an official announcement upon receiving the report of the traditional ruler’s passage.

The remains of Alaafin were brought to Oyo on Saturday morning to commence the necessary traditional rites on his passage.

Meanwhile, eulogies have continued to pour in following the announcement of the passing of the Oyo monarch, as former senator who represented Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Shehu Sani described the late monarch as ‘a unique kind of royal known for his courage in unapologetically expressing his views.’

Reacting to the demise of Oba Adeyei via his Twitter handle (@ShehuSani), Shehu said, Saturday: “The death of His Royal Highness Oba Lamidi Adeyemi is a great loss to the nation.

“He personified charisma, dynamism and boundless energy. He was a unique kind of royal known for his courage in unapologetically expressing his views.

“May his soul rest in peace. Amin.”

Meanwhile, funeral rites of passage for the late monarch has commenced in earnest, following the arrival of the Chief Imam of Oyo State, Masud Ajokidero and other Islamic clerics at the palace of Oba Adeyemi, Saturday.

Oba Adeyemi will be interred according to Islamic rites.

Imam Ajokidero arrived at the palace of the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who died Friday night, at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Friday night, and is expected to buried by 24 hours.