Alaafin Of Oyo Celebrates 50 Years On The Throne

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has achieved a major milestone to become the longest-serving monarch on the throne as he celebrates his 50th year on the throne of his forefathers today, January 14.

In a post on his Instagram page, the monarch explained in a lengthy post about how he ascended the throne and has since ruled for the past 50 years.

He stated that ascending the throne was a dream come true for him and noted that God and posterity have been favourable to Oyo since he became king.

His post reads;

“Celebrating five decades of grace:

Baba Alaafin 50yrs Jubilee on the throne (January 14th, 1971-2021)

The contest to Oba Adeyemi III emergence began 1968, whe he was invited along with ten others from the ruling house to contest for the vacant stool of Oyo Empire. As it was the custom of the land, there were three parameters with which the constants were judged. First was eligibility, second was popularity and third, the stamina for huge responsibilities of the office of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi emerged the first; defeating ten others after a vigorous screening exercise. However, to what observer attested to be a political inference, the then government ‘refused to endorse his appointment, saying the procedure was not right.

So the process started over again with same result the second and the third time. Interestingly, despite the immense pressure upon the Oyomesi against his candidature by the government, the Oyomesi stood its ground. Thus the process was put in abeyance until civil war. When the whole process started over again.”