By Paul Ebi
Former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, is alive, healthy, and living in the United States—contrary to widespread social-media rumours alleging that he had died in London.
His former Commissioner for Information, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, firmly dismissed the claims on Friday, branding them “false and mischievous.”
Adinuba said he personally spoke with Obiano shortly before issuing the statement, confirming the former governor is “hale and hearty” and has never lived in the United Kingdom, as falsely asserted by an online platform.
> “Obiano has never lived in the United Kingdom. He lives in the United States of America. I just spoke with him now,” Adinuba said.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour, describing it as a needless fabrication capable of causing anxiety for the former governor’s family, political associates, and the people of Anambra State.
Obiano, born on August 8, 1955, hails from Aguleri in Anambra East LGA. He served as Anambra State governor from 2014 to 2022, succeeding Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate.
In his detailed statement titled “Former Governor Willie Obiano is Alive, Healthy, and Kicking,” Adinuba lamented the speed with which unverified reports spread:
> “The Nigerian media have been abuzz in the last couple of hours with a rumour that the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has passed on in London.
He is not only alive but healthy, strong, and remarkably agile for someone who has just turned 70.”
Adinuba also thanked individuals and media outlets—including international platforms like the BBC—for their concern, noting that the widespread reactions reflect Obiano’s impact on many people across the world.
> “The outpouring of love across the world following the rumour shows how much Chief Obiano means to many, almost four years after leaving public office and choosing a quiet private life abroad.”
He compared the false report to the historic fake news incident involving the Great Zik of Africa, whose rumoured death once proved completely untrue.
The clarification follows an earlier unverified report, first circulated by Tarakirivoice, which claimed Obiano had died in London from complications related to heart failure and urinary cancer. The report cited unnamed family members and alleged hospital sources but was not backed by any official statement.
Media organisations and the public had been urged to await confirmation, as the initial claims remained unverified.
With Adinuba’s categorical statement, the rumour has now been formally debunked.
