One of the dominant issues about the death of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, especially on social media, is the fate of his wives.
The 83 year-old Oba Adeyemi passed on late Friday after receiving treatments at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
In his lifetime, Oba Lamidi loved women, young and beautiful ones at that, and he never hid this fact. Their pictures have been widely circulated as the pictures of the king and his wives whom he was proud of in his lifetime.
One of such personality is Baba Araba of Oṣogbo, Chief Ifayẹmi Ẹlẹbuibọn urges men that are interested in the late king’s wife to be patient. According to him, the wives are still mourning. He said they can only be available after they come out from mourning the late king and most importantly until all rites are performed on them.
He said the late king’s wives are free to marry whomever they want but, it will come after all these rites are done. After the Alaafin’s prestige has been removed from them. However, he added that the wives are left behind for the next king. If the new king desires, he will continue as their husband.
“Kings will always leave queens in the palace after their passing,” he said. Going further, he said that presently, no one must go near the king’s wives.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, joined his ancestors on Friday night, bringing an end to his 52-year-old illustrious reign on the throne. Aged 83, Oba Adeyemi, who died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, was the longest-serving Alaafin of Oyo.
The late monarch died leaving behind many wives. In one of his interviews. He had 11 wives, the senior among them being Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi, and usually attended most events with her or with one of the 12 junior wives.
