Oyo Palace to be refurbished for new Alaafin – Palace source

By Adejayan Gbenga in Oyo

The 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade II, will reside at the popular ancient Oyo Palace where his predecessors resided.

There has been speculation about whether the new Alaafin will relocate to a new ultramodern Aafin or reside in the same ancient Oyo Palace at Ode Aremo.

Western Post correspondent, who visited the ancient palace at Ode Aremo, observed that the palace is in poor condition.

Sources within the palace confided that Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade and his chiefs will also live in the same palace his predecessors resided.

A member of the dynasty, Prince Femi Owoade, while confirming that the palace is not in good shape, noted that the government is already making arrangements to refurbish the ancient palace for the new monarch and his cabinet.

“Yes, he will be moving to the ancient palace after the coronation,” he confirmed.

Meanwhile, Western Post gathered that Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade will temporarily reside at the residential lodge of Oyo prince, who doubles as a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, ahead of the coronation and renovation at the ancient Oyo palace.

The lawmaker, who is a son of the immediate-past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, is a close ally of the monarch and has frequently rallied support for the new Alaafin.