The Nation Newspaper

Tag: death rumour

  • Death rumour about me inhuman, says Bamidele

    The Director General of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Council, Opeyemi Bamidele, has urged the public to discountenance the rumour that he died in a London hospital where he has been receiving treatment in the past six weeks.

    Bamidele said the rumour was aimed at botching the ecstasy of victory recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in last Saturday’s election, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and turned Ekiti into a battle ground.

    The former House of Representatives member adverted the public to the already mounting tension in the state, saying it is a fallout of the election that went against the PDP government.

    He urged those he called evil doers to refrain from peddling information that could increase tension than what the people could contain.

    On June 1, Bamidele sustained gunshot wounds from an alleged mishandling of firearm by a policeman during a rally organised for Dr. Fayemi.

    A statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by his media aide, Ahmed Salami, branded the rumour as an evil intention of the wicked.

    It said Bamidele is not only hale and hearty, but had greatly recuperated due to intensive medical treatment he had received and buoyed by fervent prayers of Ekiti citizens.

    The Fayemi campaign chief said the death rumour became worrisome due to his concerns about the already mounting tension in the state, which he believed such misinformation could aggravate.

    He said: “I spoke as a director general of the victorious campaign outfit for over 10 minutes in an audio clip I sent during the mega rally attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, governors and other party leaders in Ado-Ekiti.

    “I believe the evidence would suffice to convince anybody that I am still alive. Could it mean that these mischief makers thought such an audio address was fabricated?

    “I expect every Ekiti man to pray for my survival rather than wish me dead. In what way would they profit from my demise? Were they doing it for politics or to amass public sympathy?”

     

  • DSS dispels death rumour of Ekiti Assembly member

    DSS dispels death rumour of Ekiti Assembly member

    The Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja on Thursday dispelled the rumoured death of Mr Akanni Afolabi, a member of the Ekiti House of Assembly arrested by the service.

    Presenting Afolabi before newsmen, Mr Abdullahi Garba, an official of the DSS, said that the member was duly invited by the service over some breaches bordering on state security.

    He said that the breaches falls under the purview of the services to investigate.

    Garba said that the briefing became necessary in order to debunk the rumour being spread in Ekiti by some mischief makers.

    “You can see that Akanni Afolabi is hale and hearty,” he said.

    “Nigerians and Ekiti people in particular are convinced to see that Afolabi is hale and hearty as being presented to the press today,” he said.

    Garba said investigation was still ongoing on the matter, adding that the service has not received any court order for his release.

    He warned that the service would not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law against any one or persons that may engage in violent actions.

    “The DSS, therefore, warns all those who have planned to make a meat out of this to desist from it and steer clear from trouble,” he said.

    Garba assured all abiding Ekiti residents of adequate security and urged them to go about their normal businesses.

     

  • Ali’s family denies death rumour

    Ali’s family denies death rumour

    Apparently, Rahman Ali really needs to checkin on his brother more often, because for the second time in less than two years, the family of Muhammad Ali is denying reports by Rahman that the former champ is in dire health.

    Numerous reports in Europe claim the 71-year-old Rahman believes his 72-year-old brother’s condition from Parkinson’s disease has deteriorated to the point that the boxing great is barely able to speak and rarely leaves his house, and that it even prevented him from attending the Hollywood premier of the latest Ali biopic last week.

    “I have not been able to talk to my brother about this because he is sick,” Rahman said during that Hollywood premiere of “I Am Ali,” according to British paper Sunday People.

    “He doesn’t speak too well. But he is proud that we are here for him. He has given this film his blessing.”

    On Monday, though, Ali family spokesperson Bob Gunnell told The Courier-Journal in Ali’s native Louisville, Kentucky, that Muhammad is “doing fine,” but did provide a bit of a sobering update on the three-time heavyweight champion’s health.

    “Muhammad is doing fine at this point,” Gunnell said. “His speaking style is lower in tone, and as the day goes on, he doesn’t speak as well as he does in the morning. But Muhammad’s a strong person for his age and for the disease he has.”

    In terms of Ali’s overall health, Gunnell told the paper, “[Ali’s] not at a point where we’re at all worried,” and that “if Muhammad were having major health issues, we would issue something.”

  • Akran of Badagry dispels death rumour

    Akran of Badagry dispels death rumour

    … Says,’ I’m alive’

    The Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, said on Friday he is not dead as being widely speculated.

    The Akran told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry, Lagos, that the news is false.

    He appealed to members of the public to discountenance the false news.

    “For over a week, the Palace has been inundated with stories via the mobile phone and social media, particularly the internet about my death.

    “As you can see, I’m very much alive, enjoying a remarkable healthy lifestyle and attending to the day-to-day royal engagements within the kingdom, the state and the nation.

    “By the grace of the Lord Almighty, I’m sure that I still have a long time to live on earth, so, I’m going to be here for a long time,’’ he said.

    The monarch expressed regrets that the internet was frequently used to spread false information.

    “Presently, the internet which is regarded as a versatile information communication technology is being negatively used by international criminals, who have no respect for the truth but relish in unethical practices.

    “At all times, it is imperative to promote veracity and transparency in all our dealings as global citizens and unwholesome, unjustifiable and anti-social news must be completely avoided.”

    The Akran urged the indigenes of Badagry to pray for the ancient town and to be law abiding citizens.