Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi, has passed on.

Adeyemi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, 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 said. 

He was 83 years old and the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.

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, Yusuf Akinade, 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.

Though there has been a release from the palace debunking the death of the prominent Yoruba traditional ruler, sources say this is to allow traditional rites before officially announcing the death. 

The released titled, "Alaafin Oyo   RUMOURED DEATH UNFOUNDED" and signed by Alaafin's Media and Publicity Director, Bode Durojaiye  reads "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.