Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, and the late Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo played key roles in the emergence of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III as the Alaafin of Oyo.
Obasanjo made the disclosure on Wednesday while speaking as Chairman at the Requiem Symposium held in honour of Olunloyo, who once served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the then Military Governor of Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo.
Describing Olunloyo as a genius with an extraordinary intellect, the former president said the late scholar’s life was colourful and cannot be fully discussed without acknowledging his political energy, occasional rascality, and unconventional character.
Obasanjo recalled an encounter in 1965 when he served as Area Commander in the Western Region. According to him, Olunloyo approached him one morning with an unusual complaint regarding a chieftaincy matter.
He said: “Victor came to my office and told me he had a problem — which surprised me because I had never known him to have any. The issue was that the kingmakers had selected the son of the former Alaafin who had been exiled during Chief Awolowo’s administration.”
Faced with the sensitive nature of the selection, Obasanjo said he advised Olunloyo to consult the Ooni of Ife for guidance. “I told him to go to Baba (Ooni Aderemi). When he got there and explained the situation, Ooni told him, ‘Let the children of those who had ruled before return to the stool. They are the ones that won’t disgrace the institution.’”
Despite receiving Ooni’s counsel, Obasanjo noted that Olunloyo remained uncertain. He then encouraged him to also consult Chief D.S. Adegbenro, a trusted ally of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“He later visited Chief Adegbenro, who promised to speak with Awolowo. Unknown to Olunloyo, Ooni Aderemi had already spoken to Awolowo. That is how Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, son of the exiled Alaafin, eventually ascended the throne — with Chief Awolowo’s blessing,” Obasanjo revealed.
He praised Olunloyo’s commitment to resolving the crisis, noting that he handled the assignment with maturity and delivered the desired outcome in a delicate political climate.
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III reigned as the Alaafin of Oyo for over five decades until his passing in April 2022.
