Alaafin: Speaker Gbajabiamila’s Installation As Aare Baasofin Suspended Till Further Notice

The installation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as the Aare Baasofin of Yorubaland (the Supreme Lawmaker of Yorubaland) has been suspended over the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo.

This development was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Lanre Lasisi, obtained by journalists on Sunday.

The Speaker's Aide said the event, which was planned to take place on Friday, May 27, 2022, was postponed till further notice.

The late Alaafin of Oyo, in September 2021, conferred the traditional title of Aare Baasofin of Yorubaland (the Supreme Lawmaker of Yorubaland) on Femi Gbajabiamila which was to mark the 60th birthday of the lawmaker.

According to the statement: “You will recall that his Royal Highness, the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III communicated the conferment of the title of Aare Baasofin of Yoruba Land to Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila through an appointment letter dated September 7, 2021, and presented to the Speaker on Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the National Assembly, Abuja, by members of the Oyomesi Council led by the Bashorun of Oyo Kingdom, High Chief Olayinka Ayoola, who is the traditional Prime Minister of Oyo Kingdom and Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu.

“Upon which the Speaker, in turn, accepted the appointment with gratitude to God. However, due to the tight work schedule of the Speaker, the Chieftaincy ceremony could not hold throughout 2021, until this year when the date of May 27, 2022, was agreed with the palace but as God in his majesty will have it the revered monarch passed on Friday night before the distribution of Invitation cards for the event (May Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus).

“Naturally, the event can no longer hold as the Speaker, the entire Yoruba race, Nigerians home and abroad mourn the demise of the widely respected Monarch.”