The traditional chiefs of Ife royal palace led by the Loowa of Ife, High chief Joseph Ijaodola have denied that the Ooni is dead.
Addressing journalists at d palace of Ooni, the secretary of ife royal court, High chief Adetoye Odewole and the president of Ife development board, Prof Muheeb Opeloye denied that the Ooni is dead
They said it is still a mere rumour adding that the first class traditional ruler is still hale and hearty.
When probed further to confirm if they had spoken with Oba Sijuwade, they declined further comments but maintained that the Ooni is still alive.
In the other news
Following media reports of the passing on of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, sympathisers on Wednesday morning trooped to his palace to confirm the development.
The sympathisers began arriving at the palace as early as 6.30am to ascertain the veracity of the report from palace chiefs, who declined to speak.
They were, however, turned back at the entrance of the palace by palace guards, while the gate was shut.
Many sympathisers, however, gathered in groups a few metres from the palace gate discussing the development in low tones.
When the Private Secretary to the Ooni, Mr. Saka Awojoodu, was approached by a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria to react to the development, he simply said, "I have nothing to disclose."
Mr. Bisi Oduyemi, one of those who was at the palace, said he came to find out whether the news of the monarch's passing on was true.
"I am here to find out whether the story of the Ooni's death was true.
"I heard the news on radio during the newspaper review this morning but I am here to confirm this from the palace chiefs and unfortunately, they are not forthcoming," Oduyemi said .
Another resident, Mrs Idayat Akinrolu, said she abandoned her house chores to find out the authenticity of the story from the palace.
Meanwhile, the state government and the Osun Council of Traditional Rulers have yet to react to the development.
NAN learnt that both the state government and the traditional council were waiting for official announcement by the palace chiefs .
