Published 23rd Apr, 2022

By Daniel Ojukwu

On Friday evening, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, died after battling illness at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The ‘Iku Baba Yeye’ died at the age of 83.

His death brought an end to his reign as the longest-serving ruler of the Oyo empire. Fifty-two years in all.

Although revered as one of the most influential traditional rulers in Yorubaland and Nigeria, Adeyemi, permanent chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, was not without controversies.

ORANMIYAN DIVIDES ADEYEMI, ILE-IFE INDIGENES

In 2012, Adeyemi and the indigenes of Ile-Ife, Osun State, were locked in a controversial squabble over the Alaafin’s decision to celebrate ‘Oranmiyan day’.

At the time, the Ile-Ife natives found the move to be disrespectful to their city and the then Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who is now deceased.

Oba Adebolu Fatunmise, the then spokesman of the Ife community, condemned the Alaafin’s decision, saying, “Metropolitan Oyo only came into existence in 1836 under the leadership of Prince Atiba who they later made the head, that is the nucleus of the Alaafin you have today.”

Oba Fatunmise also said the Alaafin was supposed to first contact the actual custodian of the deity, the Ooni, before going ahead with such a celebration.

The Alaafin was however not moved by the comments that came from the Ife community, as he went on with the celebration.

EKITI MONARCHS WRITE MAKINDE TO WARN ALAAFIN

The people of Ife were not the only ones who had a score to settle with the late Alaafin. In March, 2020, the Traditional Council of Obas in Ekiti State wrote to Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor, to warn Adeyemi to stop interfering in the affairs of Ekiti monarchs.

Earlier, Adeyemi had written to Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor, warning him not to meddle in the affairs of traditional rulers in the state.

This was after Fayemi issued a query to 16 monarchs in the state.

Condemning the Alaafin’s actions, the Ekiti monarchs, via a letter issued by Oba Adebanji Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, the Obas appealed to Fayemi to ignore the Alaafin, while also imploring Seyi Makinde to warn him.

Alabi famously wrote, Alaafin’s interference was “absolutely unwarranted” as he “cannot superintend over the monarchy in Ekiti State” because “Ekiti was never and can never be part of Oyo empire.”

The Alawe described the Alaafin as “an Oba who enjoys stirring controversies and crises where there are none.”

YORUBA MONARCHS DIVIDED OVER ALAAFIN’S CLAIM AS HEAD OF YORUBA NATION

In August 2021, during the conferment of chieftaincy titles of Atobaase and Ayedero of Yorubaland on Babajide Agunbiade and Shina Peller, respectively, Oba Adeyemi described himself as the only king in Yorubaland that was capable of conferring chieftaincy titles that would cover the entire Yorubaland, on worthy Yoruba indigenes.

This statement led to divided opinions among Yoruba monarchs. While some agreed with the statement, others disagreed with it.

Abdulrosheed Akanbi, Oluwo of Iwo, was vocal in his support of the Alaafin’s statement, highlighting a historical record of Oduduwa and Oranmiyan, and using the title of ‘Alaafin’ in ancient time.

“Look, the title Alaafin is ancient and was first used by Oduduwa, later Oranmiyan and now the Alaafin. The title itself confers authority on him,” the Oluwo said.

Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure, disagreed with the Alaafin’s position, positing instead that all Yorubas have their roots in Ile-Ife. To him, the duty belonged to the Ooni and not the Alaafin.

Afolabi Odidiomo, Olu of Igbokoda was in support of Oba Adeyemi, while Ebenezer Akinyemi, Eselu of Iselu, disagreed.

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