Rumours of the death of the former governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, have been debunked by his former Commissioner for Information, Mr C. Don Adinuba.
News of the death of the 70-year-old former governor had gone viral, especially in the Anambra media space, eliciting tears among some of his close aides, who insisted he was a good leader and a humane individual.
However, the news was debunked by Adinuba, who stated emphatically that the former governor is not only alive but hale and hearty.
Adinuba, in a press statement he signed and issued, said: “The Nigerian media have been abuzz in the last couple of hours over a rumour that the immediate Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has passed on in London.
“This rumour has no basis. Chief Obiano lives in Texas, United States, and not London. He is not just alive, but healthy, strong and too agile for someone who has just turned 70 years.
“We thank people from different walks of life across the globe for their acute interest in the former governor whose large heartedness and record of service delivery remain solid by any standard.
“The outpouring of love across the globe following the rumour shows how much Chief Obiano matters to many, almost four years after leaving public office and choosing a quite private life abroad.
“At only 70 years, Chief Obiano has joined the pantheon of men like The Great Zik of Africa whose rumoured death turned out to be utterly false and without any foundation.”
Also, another aide of the former governor, who identified himself as Onyebuchi Okpala, wrote on Facebook: “Please umunnem ndi Anambra, disregard the fake news on social media.
“His Excellency Chief William Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano is still alive. Please shun the fake death news of Our principal and Boss Akpokuedike Global. It’s not true please, Akpokuedike is alive. We pray for more good, sound health and happiness.”
Obiano, who governed Anambra from 2014 to 2022, had relocated to Houston, Texas, where he has lived since after his retirement as a top staff member of Fidelity Bank, before becoming governor.
He is standing trial before a Federal High Court for allegedly mismanaging the sum of N4 billion as governor of Anambra State. He hails from Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area and is the immediate past governor of the state.