Archbishop Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu, has spoken on the uncertainties surrounding the future of the wives of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
Ladigbolu who is from the Agunloye Ruling House of Oyo Kingdom said the next Alaafin will inherit the wives of the late Oba Lamidi, noting that it’s the tradition.
The archbishops, who’s a close associate, of the highly respected monarch, made this known in an interview with the PUNCH.
Ladigbolu, however, said the prevailing realities in today’s world meant the custodians of tradition also have to factor in changing trends.
“The new king will inherit them and that is the tradition, but you know things are changing now. Once a woman is married to the Alaafin they are married forever to the Alaafin. You know circumstances of life are changing and we have to adjust to the changing trends” He said
“They are married to Alaafin and Alaafin is not a person but an institution. The new Alaafin will be responsible for their welfare because they are married to the institution and not just a person.
On If any of the wives decide to leave the palace to go and remarry, Ladigbolu said he would not be able to give a definite answer to the question but the palace would definitely make room for flexibility in interpretation of tradition.
“I don’t have to elaborate on that; all I can say is that they are married to Alaafin and Alaafin is not a person but an institution. That is why the question of who they belong to after the death of the Kabiyesi who married them did not arise. They belong to the Alaafin. But in the light of the prevailing circumstances we will have to adjust. That is my response”
On his chances of ascension to the throne and if he is interested in succeeding late Oba Lamidi, he said, though he’s from Agunloye Ruling House in Oyo which is expected to produce the next Alaafin, he’s taking things slowly as they are still mourning the last Alaafin.
“Yes, I am from the Agunloye Ruling Family and I belong to the Ladigbolu extraction of that larger Agunloye family. Like you rightly said, it is our turn and our right by law at this time, but we are all looking up to God. We are still mourning at the moment, so, even if anybody is interested in ascending the throne, he will have to take it easy and wait until the mourning process is over before displaying such interest. There are procedures for that”