The Alaafin of Oyo, late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on Friday, had many plans shattered by his demise, reports have emerged.
Oba Adeyemi had died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The revered Yoruba monarch, who died at the age of 83, reigned for 52 years.
However, it was gathered that late Oba Adeyemi had planned to visit the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.
Oba Ogunwusi broke the ice in the frosty relationship between the Ife and Oyo monarchs by visiting the Alaafin at his palace to join him in celebrating his 45th coronation anniversary on the throne in January 2016.
Ooni, in his tribute, disclosed that Oba Adeyemi promised to pay his first visit to the Ife palace before the middle of this year.
Oba Ogunwusi, who described the demise of Alaafin of Oyo as a loss to the entire Oduduwa race worldwide, disclosed that Oba Adeyemi made the promise early last month when they both held a closed-door meeting of peace and reconciliation with some frontline politicians of Yoruba origin at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
It was further gathered that Oba Adeyemi had concluded plans to present houses to two of his wives as gifts before the end of this month.
READ ALSO: Alaafin reconciled with all before death ― Son
“Kabiyesi was waiting to get well. He planned to hand over a gift of new houses to two of the queens. But, death has made that impossible now. The houses have been completed. They were just to be handed over to the wives,” a source disclosed.
Another unfulfilled plan of the monarch was the installation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as ‘Baamofin of Oyo’ on May 27, 2022.
The already printed invitation cards for the event went viral on social media shortly after the death of the Alaafin.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, also spoke of the aborted plan by the late traditional ruler to settle the rift between him and his principal.
“He was a major player in the effort to settle the rift between me and my principal and he was still working on it till he passed on,” Aregbesola said.
The traditional ruler, who was the consenting authority to Obas in Oyo and Oke-Ogun communities, had also initiated plans to confront the Oyo State Government over the elevation of some chiefs and baales into Obas without his consent, and in violation of chieftaincy laws.
A source said Alaafin had written former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Abiola Ajimobi on the issue but the ex-governors failed to take any action.
Oba Adeyemi was said to have initiated moves to complain to Governor Seyi Makinde on the issue.
It was learnt that the monarch had painstakingly gathered relevant documents, which he planned to launch by end of April before death came.
In a 2017 letter to the late Ajimobi, the Alaafin had listed baales who elevated themselves to Obas and those who gave themselves non-existing titles. Aside the traditional ruler of Aawe, a community that borders Oyo, other communities on the list are in Oke-Ogun.
“One seemed to believe that with these and host of legislations on chieftaincy matters, both the administrators, prescribed authorities, and the beneficiaries would be guided alright.
READ ALSO: Gov Makinde speaks on Alaafin’s death
“It was very disappointing that self-esteem, corrupt practices, negligence, and carefree attitude by those concerned have led to great abuse and bastardization of the important culture.
“Dubious characters in our society now found acquisition of chieftaincy titles at all costs a safe haven since the anointment is honourable for life. They manipulated their ways to the highest position, sometimes, to the disadvantage of some families. Criminals have invaded the culture,” late Oba Adeyemi stated.
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