Royal News

Tag: Alaafin of Oyo

  • Alaafin, Soun Absent as Oyo Marks 50th Anniversary

    Alaafin, Soun Absent as Oyo Marks 50th Anniversary

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, inaugurated the 50th anniversary of the state on Monday in Ibadan, amid the notable absence of two prominent traditional rulers—the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi.

    The event at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, brought together former governors’ families, religious and traditional leaders, government officials, and political stakeholders to celebrate the state’s creation on February 3, 1976. The state government had earlier unveiled a week-long program, including religious services, cultural exhibitions, awards nights, and a public lecture titled, “Consolidating The Legacy, Navigating The Present And Reimagining The Future.”

    Governor Makinde had appointed former House of Representatives member Saheed Fijabi to chair an 11-member planning committee overseeing the anniversary events. During the ceremony, Makinde cut the anniversary cake and reflected on the state’s achievements and future goals.

    The absence of the Alaafin and the Soun drew attention, especially after Makinde’s recent decision to rotate the chairmanship of the Oyo Council of Obas among the Alaafin, Soun, and Olubadan. Previously, the chairmanship was reserved for the Alaafin.

    At the Olubadan’s recent inauguration, Makinde had indicated that all three monarchs agreed to the rotational system. However, the Alaafin subsequently denied participating in any agreement, signaling possible tensions within the state’s traditional institutions.

    Efforts to obtain comments from the Alaafin’s and Soun’s spokesmen, Bode Durojaye and Peter Olaleye, were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadan and Chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, attended the ceremony with other traditional rulers.

    In his address, Makinde emphasized his administration’s commitment to economic growth, job creation, investment attraction, and expanding opportunities for residents. He highlighted the legacy of former Governor Bola Ige, particularly his provision of free textbooks and learning materials, as foundational to the state’s ethos of equal opportunity.

    Makinde also showcased a digital tribute platform established for the anniversary, which has collected hundreds of citizen stories reflecting resilience, enterprise, and community pride. He cited examples of residents using opportunities provided by the state to create businesses and empower others.

    Service commanders and security agencies were commended for maintaining peace, and residents were urged to participate in the anniversary’s grand finale scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Fijabi and Oba Ladoja also reflected on the contributions of past leaders and unsung heroes to the state’s development trajectory.

    The absences of the Alaafin and Soun, coupled with earlier disputes over the rotational council chairmanship, suggest ongoing tensions within Oyo’s traditional leadership. Nonetheless, Governor Makinde reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to inclusive governance, economic development, and citizen engagement as Oyo enters its next 50 years.

  • Alaafin’s Palace Denies Appointment of New Oyo Chief Imam

    Alaafin’s Palace Denies Appointment of New Oyo Chief Imam

    The palace of the Alaafin of Oyo has dismissed reports suggesting that a new Chief Imam has been appointed for the town.

    In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the palace urged Muslim faithful and residents to remain calm, stressing that the selection process is ongoing and subject to wider consultations.

    “The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to wild speculations milling round that a new Chief Imam has been appointed for Oyo. The good people of Oyo and members of the public are advised to disregard such unfounded, baseless and wicked information, as no candidate has been chosen for the number one Islamic seat in Oyo town,” the statement read.

    It further clarified that only His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, holds the exclusive authority to appoint a Chief Imam and assured that the rightful decision would be made in due course.

  • Ooni of Ife ignores Alaafin’s 48-hour chieftaincy ultimatum

    Ooni of Ife ignores Alaafin’s 48-hour chieftaincy ultimatum

    Moses Olafare, spokesperson for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has explained why the monarch will not respond to a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, demanding the revocation of a chieftaincy title recently conferred on Ibadan businessman Dotun Sanusi.

    In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Olafare said Oba Ogunwusi had instructed him to ignore the Alaafin’s threat, describing it as “undignifyable.” He emphasized that the matter would be left to public opinion rather than official statements.

    “My Principal has directed me against issuing a press release on the empty threat. We cannot dignify the ‘undignifyable’ with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion,” Olafare wrote.

    The controversy began when Oba Owoade criticized the Ooni’s decision to confer the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title on Sanusi, describing it as an “affront” and a challenge to his authority. In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin said the Ooni’s action was ultra vires and infringed on his exclusive right to bestow Yoruba-wide chieftaincy titles.

    “The conferment of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title by the Ooni is not only ultra vires but an insult to the Titan of Yorubaland. The Supreme Court has ruled that only the Alaafin has such authority. Yet, the Ooni continues to act above the law, trampling on both tradition and the courts,” the statement read. The Alaafin warned that failure to withdraw the title within 48 hours would result in unspecified consequences.

    Observers note that this is not the first time such a dispute has arisen. In 1991, the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, protested a similar action by the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuade, who conferred the chieftaincy title of Akinrogun of Yorubaland on a political figure. Oba Adeyemi described the act as a violation of sacred traditions.

  • Alaafin Owoade fires Ooni Ogunwusi over appointment of ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’

    Alaafin Owoade fires Ooni Ogunwusi over appointment of ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’

    The paramount ruler and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has faulted the conferment of the Chieftaincy title of ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ on a business tycoon, Dotun Sanusi, a.k.a Ilaji, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

    Oba Owoade said conferment of chieftaincy title which bothers on the entirety of Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife was not only an affront to the referred institution of the Alaafin, “who is the Titan of Yorubaland and who holds exclusive right to confer any chieftaincy title which covers the entire Yorubaland on anyone.”

    Alaafin, in a statement on Monday by his media aide, Bode Durojaye, said, “The Ooni of Ife is behaving as if there is no authority to check and call him to order and because of that “above the law” syndrome of his, he is in the habit of walking on everybody’s back including the apex Court in the country, the Supreme Court, which had ruled on the Exclusive preserve of the Alaafin to confer chieftaincy title that covers the entire Yorubaland on anyone.”

    The monarch added that the instrument of office presented to Ooni Ogunwusi during his installation, specifically limits his traditional area of authority to the old Oranmiyan local government in Osun State, which has now been split into Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South LGAs.

    Oba Owoade demanded the revocation of the title on Sanusi within 48 hours.

    He accused the Ooni of Ife of taking the peace and unity initiative of the Alaafin for granted by taking decisions that are not only ultra vires, but derogatory to the Titan of Yorubaland.

    “The dictum that nobody is above the law of the land is now being put to a crucial test and the reality of our time makes it very obligatory for the Alaafin to call the Ooni of Ife to order and demand revocation of the so-called Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on Engineer Dotun Sanusi within 48 hours or face the consequences,” the statement said.

  • Oba Adeyemi not dead, he went to ……..–Palace aide

    Oba Adeyemi not dead, he went to ……..–Palace aide

    One of the aides of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has finally releaved the whereabout of the paramount ruler, ROYAL NEWS reports.
    She claimed that the monarch did not die, rather, according to her, “the late Alaafin had since about few weeks ago told us about his plan to embark on a journey soon.”

    According to her, “My father has gone to meet his forefathers. Atanda (Alaafin) went to play with his forefathers. He is not dead.

    “Two weeks ago, he called and told us that his late father was calling him to come. We were afraid and asked if truly he saw his father.

    “He ascended the throne at a young age and was wealthy and blessed with long life, preserved the stool, promoted the Yoruba culture and was an epitome of royalty. We are happy to have him as the Alaafin.”

    However, Oba Lamidi  Adeyemi III breath his last breathe on Friday night at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.
    His remains was laid to rest according to Islamic rites.

  • Photo News: How late Alaafin of Oyo was buried

    Photo News: How late Alaafin of Oyo was buried

  • Oba Adeyemi’s death marks end of another era— Emir Sulu-Gambari

    Oba Adeyemi’s death marks end of another era— Emir Sulu-Gambari

    The Emir of Ilorin  and Chairman  Kwara  State  Council  of Chiefs,  Mai-Martaba  Alhaji  Ibrahim  Sulu-Gambari CFR, has described the demise of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III as a colossal loss to traditional institution in the nation.

     

    Alhaji Sulu-Gambari noted that the 52years reign of Oba Adeyemi III witnessed tremendous display of royalty, excellence, peace and harmony among inhabitants of the ancient town of Oyo and Oyo State in general.

     

    “Oba Lamidi Olayiwola  Adeyemi’s death marks the end of another era, the world will surely miss the exit of a bridge-builder”,  he said.

     

    This is contained in a condolence message issued  by the Emir’s spokesman,  Mallam Abdulazeez  Arowona, on Saturday. He noted that late Oba Adeyemi III used his long reign and old age to foster unity among the Yoruba race.

     

    The statement however commiserated with the immediate and extended  families of the late paramount ruler, the Oyo-In-Council, government and good people of Oyo State over the exit of a titan.

     

    The Emir prayed to God to comfort his loved ones and give the entire people of Oyo the fortitude to bear the great loss.

     

  • BREAKING….Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi III dies at 83

    BREAKING….Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi III dies at 83

    PARAMOUNT ruler of Yoruba extraction and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, III has passed on at the age 83.

    Alaafin 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 capital of Ekiti State in South-West Nigeria.

    The remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo town, 62 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, palace sources told this newspaper.

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

    The 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 town 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 months 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 throne remains vacant.

    Alaafin Adeyemi was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House of the famous Oyo town.

    He was crowned on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I. He was known popularly as Iku Baba Yeye.

    While he reigned, he was the permanent chairperson of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    With the demise of Alaafin Adeyemi, it is now the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House to produce the next Oyo monarch. Mr Adeyemi’s predecessor, Alaafin Ladigbolu, was from the Agunloye House

  • PHOTONEWS: Alaafin, Olofa, Kamoru Yusuf at Alapomu of Apomu coronation anniversary

    PHOTONEWS: Alaafin, Olofa, Kamoru Yusuf at Alapomu of Apomu coronation anniversary

    (L-R) The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Europe II, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Group Managing Director/CEO of KAM Holding Ltd. , Dr. Kamoru Yusuf and the former Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju at the 2nd coronation anniversary of the Alapomu of Apomu recently. PHOTO CREDIT: Felix Okoro

  • KWAM1 denies having an affair with Olori Ajoke, Alaafin of Oyo’s wife

    KWAM1 denies having an affair with Olori Ajoke, Alaafin of Oyo’s wife


    Fuji music legend, King Ayinde Wasiu aka KWAM1, has reacted to rumors of his alleged affair with one of the wives of the Alaafin of Oyo, Ajoke Adeyemi. Rumors have been rife online since yesterday April 15th that the wife of the 80-year-old monarch had been sent packing from the palace over her alleged affair with the music maestro.

    In a statement released this afternoon, KWAM1 said the allegation is a lie concocted from the pit of hell. He opined that those behind the allegation were only bitter that the monarch conferred a reverred chieftaincy title on him a while back. He hinted he will be seeking legal redress

    Read his statement below:

    The attention of Fuji Maestro and Mayegun of Yorubaland, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1 De Ultimate, has been drawn to the rumour making the rounds in the past 48 hours, on social media platforms, where it has been alleged that the music icon was having an affair with Olori Ajoke, one of the wives of Alayeluwa, the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111.

    Ordinarily, one would have waved off this allegation as one coming from the warped mind of one possibly numbed by high covid-19 fever.
    But as known in these parts, a lie repeatedly told, has a way of transmuting to truth.

    Let me categorically state that the rumour is lies concocted from the pit of hell by those whose aim is to drag to the mud, the name of K1 De Ultimate and ultimately that of the most revered kingdom in Yoruba land.

    These agents of Lucifer have continued in their warped delusions to see K1 go to the ground just for being conferred with the title of Mayegun of Yoruba land. The Alaafin’s crime is the conferment of the honour, hence the grim plot to drag him down also. Moreover, the higly respected Monarch and his Olori have both debunked the story as baseless and unfounded.

    Read also: (PHOTOS) KWAM 1 finally installed as 1st Mayegun of Yorubaland

    For the records, as the Mayegun of Yorubaland, K1 is aware of the customs and traditions of the Yoruba and as such, can not put the culture and tradition of the Yorubaland to disrepute.

    Let me remind the rumour mongers that Nigeria has adequate laws to bring anyone who has embarked on character assassination of the innocent to book. The fans and the general public should be rest assured that we will legally seek redress for this allegation.

    Signed;
    Kunle Rasheed,
    Media Adviser