Ebere Nzeworji, an aide to the former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has refuted rumours of his principal’s death, stating that “the immediate past Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District is hale and hearty.”
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday morning, Nzeworji explained that “a fake viral message has circulated on social media since the early evening of Wednesday, November 6, alleging that Okorocha had passed away in a London hospital.”
Nzeworji clarified that Okorocha was seen at his Unity House office in Garki, Abuja, around the same time the rumour began to spread and that he had recently returned from Owerri, Imo State.
He noted that the former governor had attended the funeral ceremony of the late elder statesman Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on Friday, November 1, and later hosted the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, along with other representatives, at his Spibat residence in Owerri.
Nzeworji remarked, “One can now begin to wonder about the motives of those behind this fake news.
“Senator Okorocha is a patriotic Nigerian who has served at both state and national levels with distinction, building friendships with well-meaning individuals across the country and the globe.
“The former governor has never wished anyone dead and is always cheerful and caring about the wellbeing of others.
“We, therefore, call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the global community to disregard this fake news and be assured that His Excellency, Senator Rochas Okorocha, is hale and hearty.”
*Text, excluding headline, courtesy PUNCH
