Olugbo’s palace debunk Oba’s death rumour

The palace of the Olugbo of Ugbo land, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, has denied rumours making the round about his purported demise, asking that people should disregard such unfounded and bad intentioned information as nothing terrible or fatal as death has befallen the king.

The palace, in a statement signed by Chief Isaiah Demehin, Secretary of the Olugbo-in-Council, stated that it is in bad taste that people will spread false information especially concerning the demise of a traditional ruler, who is very much alive without confirming if what they heard is true

“The Oba is not in the country at present and his journey is not because he is indisposed though he will undertake medical checkup in the course of his travel. We will advise rumourmongers to stop their act of mischief concerning the Oba; it is not in the culture of the Yoruba people to engage in this type of uncultured practice,” the statement said

It stated that the rumour Olugbo’s death has been on for sometime, adding, “This has sent panic around in some quarters that we as the
Olugbo-in-Council did our best to calm the good people of Ugbo. We decided to hold on and not go public until it is time that people can see their Oba physically. Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, Olugbo of Ugbo land is very much alive,” Chief Demehin said.

According to the palace, the latest development is a sign of the deep erosion of the values and culture of the Yoruba people to talk of death of a living person

“We want people to desist from this terrible act and we want to assure that nothing is wrong with the Kabiesi, he is in good health and will soon be back home

“We want to reiterate that the Kabiesi’s journey was planned and not due to any medical emergency. So people should put their mind at rest,” the statement read.

The statement also signed by Otunba Kunle Obisanya, Otunba of Ugbo land, further stated that the development has become the stock in trade of Ilaje people.

“They know that Kabiesi travels overseas every year for relaxation and sometimes medical checkup, everyone deserves rest and Kabiesi is not an exception. The point is that disgruntled elements will always say negative things but we know that Kabiesi is hale and hearty.”