Alaafin was in mould of philosopher king, says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Alaafin of Oyo, late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, was in the mould of a philosopher king.

Oba Adeyemi joined his ancestors last Friday at the age of 83.

The revered Yoruba monarch, who died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, reigned for 52 years.

However, Osinbajo, who paid a condolence visit to the family of the late traditional ruler and members of the Oyo Mesi in Oyo, Oyo State, on Friday, said late Oba Adeyemi understood the place of correct representation of the history, heritage and political economy of the people.

“Kabiyesi was in the mould of a philosopher king.

“He understood the place of the correct representation of the history, heritage and political economy of a people in imbuing self-worth and self-esteem in the people and by such means, the building of a proud and patriotic people.

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“In his writings and speeches, he argued vigorously that the Oyo system of governance and especially the relationship between the Alaafin and the Oye Mesi was a precursor to the concepts of the rule of law and separation of powers made popular by Dicey and Montesquieu,” Osinbajo was quoted as saying in a statement issued on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

The Vice President added: “I will miss the times I spent with him in Ibadan and Abuja debating sundry national and international issues.

“I have always come away with the impression that the monarchy may have hidden away one of the best minds of this generation. But his books and articles at least help us to get a second-hand feel of his remarkable intellect and erudition.”

He, therefore, commiserated with the late monarch’s family, the governor and the people of Oyo State.

The Star