A strong rebuttal has been issued to dismiss the viral and false report claiming that former Anambra State Governor, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, has died.
The rumour spread widely on social media on Friday, November 14, and caused fear among many residents across Anambra and beyond.
The statement, released by Hon. Chief Nweke Christian Afamuefuna, described the report as false, reckless, and completely baseless.
He said the claim did not come from any credible source.
He added that the story was created by mischief-makers who wanted to stir confusion and exploit public emotions for personal or political reasons.
Chief Afamuefuna stressed that Chief Obiano is alive and in good health. He condemned those behind the rumour and called their actions shameful and insensitive.
He noted that spreading such serious misinformation about someone’s life is morally wrong and legally punishable under Nigerian law.
He said many people forget that death is not a joke and should never be used to score political points or attract online attention.
According to him, the false news caused needless panic among Ndi Anambra and the wider Omambala community.
He said several people reached out in fear, which further proved how far the rumour had travelled before it was debunked.
He warned that those behind the fake report must withdraw their publication within 24 hours.
He also demanded a public apology to Chief Obiano’s family and the Omambala community.
He stated that failure to apologize would lead to immediate legal action, and the case could reach the courts as early as next week.
He urged Nigerians to stop circulating the rumour and rely only on verified information from credible channels.
He reminded the public that social media remains a powerful tool that can damage reputations when abused.
He encouraged people to think carefully before sharing unverified claims, especially those involving someone’s life or death.
A video posted by Ms. Uju Edochie, a former aide to Mrs. Ebele Obiano, further confirmed the truth. In the clip, she said, “Chief Sir Willie Obiano is alive. I just spoke with him. He is very much alive and not even sick.”
Her statement calmed many supporters who had been unsettled by the earlier false report.
Chief Afamuefuna concluded that Obiano remains a respected figure and continues to symbolize leadership and progress in Anambra State.
He said the former governor will not allow false propaganda to tarnish his legacy. He ended by firmly stating again that Chief Willie Obiano is alive.