By Peter Omopo
The Media and Publicity Office of the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaye, has issued a statement denying allegations linking the Alaafin to the death of Chief Lukman Ojora Arounfale, a Yoruba monarch based in the United States. Arounfale, known as the Baba Oba of Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, reportedly passed away after an alleged assault, which some reports claimed was ordered during a visit to the Alaafin’s palace.
Speculation surrounding the incident suggested that the assault might have been connected to a rift between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over issues of royal supremacy. However, Durojaye firmly denied any connection between Arounfale’s death and the Alaafin.
“The palace, through me, had issued a rebuttal to the unconfirmed story, and it was widely circulated, including by electronic media. The palace was not responsible for his death,” Durojaye stated in an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday.
The spokesman also expressed concern about what he described as a deliberate attempt by bloggers and online commentators to stoke unnecessary controversy regarding the recent interaction between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife at a public event. He emphasized that the interaction between the two monarchs should not be misinterpreted to create division within the Yoruba kingdom.
Durojaye’s comments aim to clarify the position of the Alaafin’s palace in the wake of the ongoing speculation surrounding Arounfale’s death.
