Rep Adeyemi Rallies Support for New Alaafin, Oba Owoade
Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, a prince of Oyo and the member representing Oyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has congratulated Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade on his ascension to the throne as the new Alaafin of Oyo. Adeyemi, widely known as Skimeh, called on other Yoruba monarchs to lend their support to the new king.
In a statement issued after the presentation of the staff and certificate of office to Oba Owoade, Adeyemi, the son of the late Alaafin Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to his cousin and now father, Oba Owoade.
In his statement titled “The King Has Assumed The Mantle,” Adeyemi referred to Oba Owoade as his brother and cousin who is now his father. He prayed for the divine support of revered ancestors, including Oranyan, Sango, Atiba, Agunloye, Alowolodu, and his own father, Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi, to guide and empower the new Alaafin.
“Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, has ascended the esteemed throne of a foremost Oba in the Yoruba Nation. My cousin/brother is now my father. As you embark on this sacred journey, I implore the spirits of our ancestors to fortify Your Imperial Majesty for great success on the hallowed throne,” Adeyemi said. He also extended his best wishes to the new monarch.
The federal lawmaker urged the people of Oyo, both at home and abroad, to rally around the new Alaafin, calling on all Yoruba sons and daughters to warmly embrace him as “Iku Baba Yeye” (the father of the people).
Speaking in Yoruba, Adeyemi also called on other prominent Yoruba monarchs—including the Ooni of Ife, Alake of Egbaland, Awujale of Ijebu, Oba of Lagos, Oluwo of Iwo, Timi of Ede, Soun of Ogbomoso, Olofa of Ofa, and other traditional rulers across Yoruba land—to support the new Alaafin in his reign.
This comes after Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, officially presented the staff and certificate of office to Oba Owoade in a brief ceremony at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday.
