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...
It is an established fact that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi is the king with the highest number of beautiful Oloris in Nigeria. Some of them are elderly, who are called Queen Mothers, but the vast majority are young beauties in their 30s and 40s. City People reports that the Alaafin’s wives are up to 13 where Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi, the first wife is 80 years old. There are a few other older Olori’s. But he has some pretty young wives who are about 8. The wives are Queen Memunat, Queen Damilola, Queen Anu, Queen Mojisola, Queen Ola Badirat, Queen Folashade, Queen Omobolanle, and Queen Rukayat Abbey Adeyemi. Revealing how he got attracted to all his Oloris, the Alaafin of Oyo said thus:“I did not propose to any of my wives. They desired to be with me because I sent them to school. After their university education, I told them to leave but they refused and insisted on staying with me here in the palace as my wives. The least educated of them has a Higher National Diploma and is now at the University. I don’t begrudge or offend women. Marriage is an institution that must be defended.
Each partner has a role to play in the marriage. My wives have their individual quarters. God has given me some type of ability and grace to keep a woman, especially beautiful women. I don’t disclose my conversations or activities with one wife to another.I maintain a strict code of confidentiality. I have learned that I must positively make an impact on people and make a great first impression. Of course, they (wives) sometimes have disagreements and conflicts of opinion but I have been ‘graced’ by God to know how to ensure that the conflicts don’t escalate.”Alaafin must have a penchant for taking good care of Olori’s as many of them decide to spend the rest of their lives with the old monarch at 82. Recall that one of the Oloris, Queen Ola confirmed this months ago in a chat with Tribune saying “Baba brought me up from scratch, sponsored me to school and imparted knowledge into me to become the person I am today. It was a father-and-daughter relationship until I felt I had a brighter future with the commitment he showed. It is unfair for anyone to insinuate that he took advantage of me or any other person. We had a formal wedding in the presence of the chief imam and other scholars including my family members. There is no secret about it. And am I not better off today? “