Contrary to reports that the Olugbo of Igbo kingdom, Oba Akinruntan is dead, The palace of the Olugbo of Ugbo, Ondo State, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, has said that the monarch is alive .

Reacting to a rumour which indicated that he was late , the palace noted in a statement that people should disregard what it described as misinformation “ as nothing terrible or fatal as death has befallen the king . ”

The statement co- signed by the Secretary of the

Olugbo – in- Council , Chief Isaiah Demehin , added , “ 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 rumour mongers to stop their mischief concerning the Oba. It is not in the culture of the Yoruba people to engage in this type of uncultured practice .

“ This rumour has triggered off such panic 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 Ugboland , is very much alive . ”