‘I’m alive, my time not up yet,’ Ebenezer Obey debunks death rumour

Legendary musician, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, also known as Chief Obey Commander, has affirmed that he is alive, strong, and healthy, refuting rumours of his death.

This is coming hours after the news of the veteran singer’s death went viral on Monday, with fans reacting with mourning messages.

Obey, while speaking with Tribune Online late Monday night, urged the public to disregard the unfounded report.

“Thanks so much. I am very active and nothing happened to me. It is fake news; it is a pure lie, and this is not what Jesus Christ has written about me. What Jesus has written about me is only what will manifest upon my life. I am alive says the Lord. I dey kampe. My time is not up yet. I thank you so much for checking up on me. Meanwhile, it is not new to me, I have been rumoured dead several times. But my God has been keeping me safe and healthier,” he said.

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He expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of concern, saying, “I thank every concerned person. I have received so many calls since last night, which made me slept so late. I appreciate everyone that checked on me and prayed for me. I pray God will continue to protect us all.”

Reacting further, Obey described the situation as “a reckless mistake.”

“I see this as a reckless mistake of the originator of the false news. I wonder what happened to the tenet of cross-checking to authenticate news items before publishing. I doubt if the breaker of the news ever passed through a journalism school! It’s a big shame and embarrassment to such person. Can you imagine? He first posted the fake news on social media and then started reaching out to media contacts to verify already publicly circulated falsehoods,” he added.

The rumour, which went viral on social media on Easter Monday, has since been confirmed as false. In reality, the music icon was very much active on Monday, leading the Ebenezer Obey Dynasty in celebrating the 60th birthday of his daughter-in-law, Pastor (Mrs.) Aduke Rotimi Obey.

He also made a dignified appearance last Friday at the wedding of popular actress Iyabo Ojo’s daughter in Lagos, blessing the couple during the engagement ceremony as the ‘bride’s grandfather.’

Also, the Miliki maestro, in a video posted on his Instagram handle Tuesday morning to further refute the death rumour, started with a spirited song — a mix and match of Yoruba, English and Pidgin — describing Satan as a lie. 

Obey-Fabiyi sang, “Hello, my name is Professor Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi.
Satan, you don lose o, Satan, you don lose o, you don pafuka. Na lie lie you dey talk, you don Pafuka.”

However, this is not the first time rumours of the legendary musician’s death have gone viral on social media. 

Around July 2020, Obey, in an Instagram Live with Dele Momodu, debunked rumours of his death, saying, “It’s not yet time for me to die. I’ve not finished what God sent me to do. I must fulfil my purpose and complete my assignment. It (death) is something that will surely come, but now.”

Despite being falsely declared dead on multiple occasions — reportedly up to 12 times, with this incident marking the 13th — the revered musician remains a vibrant presence in both private and public spheres.

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