‘Alapinni died when we needed him most’ – Akintunde mourns late Oyo prominent kingmaker

Dr Yunus Akintunde, the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo central, on Sunday commiserated with the people of Oyo town, Oyomesi and family members over the death of the Alapinni of Oyo, High Chief Abdul-Rasheed Shehu.

Abdul-Rasheed, who is one of the 7 Oyomesi, kingmakers responsible for the selection of new Alaafin and assisting in the daily administration of the palace, died early Sunday morning during a brief illness.

Akintunde said the revered chief died at a time when his “wise counsel would have been useful in determining who becomes the next Alaafin after the departure of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi”.

The former commissioner added, “we receive with sadness the death of one of the revered High Chiefs in our dear town, Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Shehu, the Alapinni of Oyo, who breathed his last early this morning. Though it came to us as a rude shock it is one of those things that will happen to any human being.

“Though we are consoled he lived a good life and contributed greatly to the development of our hometown while alive, we are pained he died when we needed him most.

“We condole the people of our hometown, Oyomesi and family members over this sad occurrence. We can only pray Allah to repose his soul and grant us the fortitude to bear the loss,” Akintunde concluded.