Following the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, the 18 wives of the legendary king may now be available to suitors without having to undergo purification procedures.
Oba Adeyemi, 83, died late Friday after receiving treatment at Ado-Afe Ekiti's Babalola University, and will be buried according to Islamic rites by 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
Although it is Yoruba tradition that the wives of rulers, whether separated or still married, are not allowed to sleep with other men until atonements have been made, palace insiders told Peoples Gazette that the late Alaafin's wives may now resume their usual lives.
Although the exact number of women is unknown, The Gazette has learned that the late monarch had 18 wives. Other identities could not be confirmed right away by this outlet.
Any guy who sleeps with a monarch's wife, according to legend, is doomed to die. Oba Adeyemi's queens, Abibat (first wife), Rahmat Adedayo, Mujidat, Rukayat, Folashade, Badirat Ajoke, Memunat Omowunmi, Omobolanle, Moji, Anuoluwapo, Damilola, Chioma, and others, are still available for suitors.
"They are not purifying themselves; they are free to live their lives," he explained. Regardless, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation. "Wives of Oyo indigenes are not permitted to marry."
"Now that Alaafin is no longer alive, they will all be asked to leave the palace with their things," he continued. Although they would divide the late monarch's assets."
At the time of his coronation on January 14, 1971, Mmes Abibat and Rahmat were wedded to Oba Adeyemi.
Oba Adeyemi admitted in a 2018 interview with Punch that he never proposed to any of his wives, but that they decided to stay with him since he paid for their education.
"None of my spouses have ever received a proposal from me." Because I sent them to school, they wished to be with me. I informed them they had to go after finishing their university education, but they refused and insisted on remaining as my wives in the palace."
Mmes Damilola, Anuoluwa, and Badirat, three of his wives, left the palace a few years ago due to various charges.
Mmes Damilola and Anuoluwa, both in their twenties, were rumoured to have departed the palace in November 2020 in search of freedom. She was said to be enslaved, according to the latter. "I'm not planning on leaving. I'm not going to be able to continue living in captivity. "I want to live and be the best I can for my children," she expressed her desire to live.
Ms Anuoluwapo had her wedding introduction in October 2021, while Mrs Damilola issued a public apology, claiming that her friends had mislead her.
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