The Beini Traditional Council has debunked rumours which became rife on media platforms on Friday, February 13, 2015 that the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa had kicked the bucket.
The rumour had been given some credence after the king of the ancient kingdom failed to receive President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 when he visited Benin for his re-election campaign rally.
Disclaiming the reports was Frank Irabor, the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, who said it was the responsibility of the council to formally make the news public in the event of the death of the Oba.
He said: “They have been peddling that rumour for more than a year now, because the Oba has not been coming out.
“If there is anything like that, there is usually a statement from the palace or from the Benin Traditional Council.
“The fact that he has not been coming out, even when the President came last week, does not mean that there is anything like that.
“I don’t bother about rumours. I believe in getting information from the authentic source. For more than six months, they have been carrying the rumour.”
