Key Points
- A viral red-screen post falsely claimed Obiano’s death. No official source confirmed the claim at publishing time.
- Obiano posted a message saying he is alive. He thanked callers and urged people to ignore rumours.
- ValidUpdates reached out to Obiano’s office for comment. No response had arrived by the time of publishing.
Former Anambra governor Willie Obiano posted a message denying death rumours. He said he was alive, hale and in excellent health today.
Obiano’s post came after a viral red-screen post claiming his death that spread widely online. ValidUpdates contacted his office and police seeking comment and confirmation.
In his message, Obiano thanked callers, messengers and people who prayed. He asked readers to ignore the rumour and stay calm.
How the claim spread
Screenshots and a plain red image circulated across WhatsApp and Facebook. Users widely reposted the image without checking official sources first.
Obiano followed with a clear statement denying the false claim and thanking supporters. He asked people to disregard the rumour and pray for peace.
Official responses and context
Police and Obiano’s aides had not immediately replied to requests for confirmation. ValidUpdates covered related local posts like Lagos arrests 15 street beggars last week.
Such claims often spread fast before officials can respond or clarify. Fact-checkers advise readers to wait for an official statement first.
Obiano closed his message by thanking well-wishers and asking for calm. “Please disregard the rumour entirely,” he wrote, thanking callers and praying for calm across his state.
Obiano served two terms as Anambra governor from 2014 until 2022. False death claims have targeted public figures across Nigeria this year.
Readers should verify breaking claims with official channels before sharing. ValidUpdates will update this story when officials or Obiano’s office comment
