Archbishop Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu has reacted to the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi.
Recall that the well respected Yoruba monarch died while receiving treatment in Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti and was laid to rest Saturday night.
Rev Ladigbolu who is from the Agunloye Ruling House of Oyo Kingdom in a recent interview with Punch took out time to talk about what would happen to the wives the monarch left behind.
According to the cleric, the new Alaafin of Oyo would inherit the wives of the former monarch, adding that it’s the tradition.
He further stated that when a woman is married to the Alaafin, they are married forever to the Alaafin.
Rev ladigbolu while speaking said, “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.
“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.”
When asked if any of the wives of the late monarch can leave, he said, “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 belonged 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.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News