Another Prominent Oyo Monarch Dies, Two Weeks After Alaafin’s Passage

Barely two weeks after the sudden demise of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Adeyemi, another prominent traditional ruler in Oyo State, Oba (Dr) Elijah Olaniyi Popoola, Oniijeru of the Ijeru Kingdom in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area is dead.

Oba Elijah, aged 85, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday morning during a brief illness.

He ascended the throne in 2008.

Confirming the development, one of his sons, Moshood, said that “though he has been ill for a while, he woke up this morning and we spoke. A few minutes after I left his palace for my house, l was told that Baba had joined his ancestors.”

”Though it is painful, who are we to query God, who gives and takes at will, May God grant him eternal rest,” He added.

Oba Popoola becomes the fourth prominent traditional ruler in Oyo State to die within the space of five months. The first was the Soun of Ogbomoso. Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III died on 12th December 2021. This was followed by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who joined his ancestors on 2nd January. Then the Alaafin of Oyo.