In the early hours of Saturday, media outlets reported the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo.

The monarch died on Friday night after battling illness at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

However, a ‘rebuttal signed by Bode Durojaiye’, Alaafin’s Media and Publicity Director has been circulated across many social media platforms on Saturday.

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CLAIM: It was claimed in the rebuttal that the Alaafin was hale and hearty.

“Members of the public are, hereby, urged to disregard the unfounded report, as the Paramount Ruler is hale and hearty,” the statement reads.

“He has neither fallen sick nor rushed to the hospital for any serious ailment, hence he and his family remain agile and active.

“The general public should not entertain any fear at all, as Iku Baba Yeye is healthy, physically fit and mentally stable.”

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VERIFICATION: The rebuttal was first made by the Office of the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin on December 31, 2021, after the monarch was rumoured to have died in the same month.

On Saturday, the Palace of the Alaafin confirmed the passing of the monarch.

“The spokesperson for the late Oba, Bode Durojaye, confirmed the death in a terse response to an inquiry by our correspondent.

He said, “Alaafin is dead,” The PUNCH reported.

CONCLUSION: The rebuttal of the Alaafin’s death was an old statement that was made public in December 2021.

VERDICT: The statement in circulation that the alaafin is alive and healthy is false.