Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
There is presently a division among the Queens of the Alaafin of Oyo following the sour end of the enviable relationship between Queen Badira Ola and Queen Memunat. Recall that Queen Ola who turned 30 last year and Queen Memunat who is marking her birthday today, used to be best friends. When the going was sweet, the two Queens who are both mothers of sets of twins, were fond of wearing same clothes and are always at the beck and call of the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. Both friends, who are Alhajas (went to Mecca at the same time in 2017) were pregnant at the same time and gave birth to their babies a week apart. First, Memunat had her twins, a set of two girls, while Ola had hers a week after, a set of two boys. Sadly the relationship has now turned sour and a source in the palace claims that Lizzy Anjorin had a role to play in it. The two Queens who loved to display public affections for each other on social media, now shun each other and have stopped following each other especially as the Alaafin of Oyo now adores Queen Memunat more. “Olori Ola believes that Olori Memunat is always spread false information about her, plus she doesn’t appreciate her new closeness with Lizzy Anjorin especially as she has now lost her position as the favourite Alaafin’s olori.….” Kemi Filani claimed.