By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The Traditional Council in Benin Kingdom has denied media reports that the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, is dead.

Secretary to the council, Frank Irabor, dismissed rumours of the monarch’s death, which he said had been on for about six months, as mere speculation.

There had been reports in the media, particularly online and social media that the respected traditional ruler passed on during the week.
Rumours of his death were given fillip when the monarch failed to personally receive the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, and President Goodluck Jonathan, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who visited him on January 29 and February 4 respectively.‎

Reacting further to speculations about Oba Erediauwa’s death, Irabor stated that it was the responsibility of the Council to issue a formal statement if, indeed, the Benin King passed on.

“If there is anything like that, there is usually a statement from the palace or from the Benin Traditional Council,” he said.

He added, “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.”

The council secretary, however, did not provide any information about Oba Irediauwa’s condition of health or why he did not personally receive the President and APC presidential candidate.