Jonathan with the Oba of Benin in September 2014

The speculation on the monarch’s demise went viral on the Internet on Friday morning.

The rumour also intensified with the claim that the Oba did not personally receive President Goodluck Jonathan, during his February 4 presidential rally in Benin, the Edo State capital‎.

But a member of the Benin Traditional Council, said on Friday evening that it was a mere speculation, which had been on for over six months and lacked truth.

The Secretary to the council, Mr. Frank Irabor, explained that it was the responsibility of the council to issue a formal statement, if such a development did occur.

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.”

Although the spokesperson did not specify whether or not the Oba was hale and hearty, he said that inability of the President Jonathan to see the monarch, when he visited the palace, did not give credence to his rumoured death.

“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,” he added.

*Reported by PUNCH online