Tension, uncertainty as residents bicker over purported death of prominent Osun monarch
- The death rumour of the Akire of Ikire land, Oba Olatunde Falabi, has caused confusion among the people of Osun state
- Oba Falabi, an octogenarian, was rumoured to have joined his ancestors
- But some princes and the chief who spoke to Legit.ng described the purported death as a rumour fabricated by the enemy of the palace
There has been palpable tension in Ikire, the headquarter of Irewole local government area of Osun state, over the purported death of the Akire of Ikire land, Oba Olatunde Falabi Olambeloye III.
Legit.ng's regional reporter, Ibrahim Akinola, reports that the said rumour which emanated from untraceable sources has been lingering for long and refused to die down for some weeks now.
It was gathered that the palace and the queen have been overwhelmed with several calls from so many sons and daughters of the town, both home and in the Diaspora to ascertain the truth of the matter.
But Legit.ng's investigation could not ascertain whether or not the monarch has truly gone to meet his ancestors
Although, all the efforts to speak directly with the spokesperson of the palace proved abortive, Legit.ng interacted with some residents including the royal family members and a prominent chief to feel their pulse on the matter.
Source: UGC
A prince who did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to do so, described the monarch's purported death as an unfounded rumour, adding that it is sheer wickedness to wish death for a fellow human being.
He said: "This is a very stupid and unfounded rumour. It is closed to a month now that some unscrupulous elements have been fabricating and dishing out varieties of rumours and bad wishes for Baba. We know these people are just bittered for nothing. They should be very careful and desist from it before what they wish for him will untimely befall them."
"I was in my office when I first heard the rumour, though I knew it was far from the truth, I couldn't wait to rush to the palace. On entering, Kabiyesi was the first person I met. I humbly and happily greeted him and he warmly embraced me and then continued reading his Bible. I did not even bother to inform him of what's going on simply because this is not the first of such rumours. I just left straight for my house."
He further stated: "We certainly know where all these are emanating from. They can't just help wishing him dead thinking that it would pave ways for them to get to the throne through the back door after failing at several attempts. I can assure them, it will not work and they will continue to fail. Even if Baba passes on today, the leader of the rumour mongers would never be his ( Baba) successor. He should know that and that is a fact."
Another member of the royal family who simply identified himself as Lukman said that he laughed when he heard the rumour about Kabiyesi's death, adding that he was not oblivious of where the death wishes were coming from.
He said: "I just laughed at these people. Look, the Kabiyesi is in the palace, hale and hearty. Many newsmen who are sons and daughters of the soil have come to ask Baba to address them on the issue but he said he wouldn't dignify these inconsequential and charlatan rumour mongers with any response. We know them and their leaders. They don't know that only God Almighty chooses whoever He wishes, not by unholy schemings."
One of the prominent chiefs in the town who spoke to Legit.ng on condition of anonymity said Oba Falabi would not address the press on his purported death now for certain reasons.
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"Don't worry my son, Baba is not ready for any interview now based on some reasons. These people are illiterates and jobless. We know them. They have been portraying themselves as the enemies of the palace and the land from the outset.
"Their waterloo awaits them. If you wish death for a king, you may likely pass on before him. We appreciate your sincere concern my son. What we are busy now with is the arrangement for the thirtieth anniversary of his ascendancy to his fathers' throne which by God's willing comes up in June this year.
"We only tary a bit due to the current pandemic ravaging the whole world. By then, Kabiyesi will address all and sundry in the public. Several press people have come from various media organisations. This is the same response we gave all of them," he said.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Adewale Akanbi, said in a video that emerged online that he offered himself as a sacrifice to save Nigerians from coronavirus pandemic.
It was reported that in a loosely translated Yoruba, he said that only God knows the true nature of diseases all over the world, adding that COVID-19 should come to infect him instead of attacking people's health.
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Source: Legit.ng