Ifa priest Ifayemi Elebuibon has said that the new Alaafin of Oyo can inherit the wives of the late Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
The 83-year-old Oba Adeyemi died on April 22 in Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ekiti. The monarch had a penchant for light-skinned women. The fate of his numerous wives has become a subject of interest since his passing.
Speaking with Premium Times on Monday, April 25, Elebuibon said the queens could either remarry after the late king’s burial rites or remain in the palace where the new king would inherit them as his wives.
He said: “At present, they will be mourning the departure of their husband. After the ceremonies of the right of passage, those who wished to stay back in the palace can stay, the new oba will come and take care of them, and those who wish to remarry can go and remarry.”
“The new monarch would inherit them as part of his inheritance to the throne,” he added.
The Araba of Osogbo further said the wives of Oba Adeyemi could only remarry after fulfilling traditional sacred rites of atonements and disassociating themselves from the palace.
“They are not allowed to marry any member of the royal family or ruling branch,” he said.
The historian noted that the queens are supposed to be indoors, away from the eyes of the people, until the traditional burial rites are entirely over.
Some of the Alaafin’s wives include Olori Mojisola, Olori Memunat, Olori Anuoluwapo, Olori Aishat, Olori Ganiyat and Olori Rukayat.
The Alaafin’s most senior wife is Olori Rahamat. She will be 79 on June 30.
On April 25, Olori Badirat, estranged wife of the late Alaafin, claimed that her marriage failed because people were not comfortable that she was Alaafin’s favourite.
