Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concern about social media rumours about his passing away.
Former President Obasanjo, who said that he recently awoke to claims of his death spreading on social media, expressed astonishment and dismay at the false allegations, calling them profoundly unpleasant.
Obasanjo spoke on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Old Garage-Oke Fia-LAMECO Road in Osogbo, Osun State, describing how he learnt about the claims.
Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, asked him to commission the road project.
“I was called early in the morning by a close ally, asking me to check social media.
“I was surprised when I saw the rumour claiming I had died at midnight. I couldn’t believe it,” Obasanjo stated.
The former president added that he promptly relayed the erroneous claims to his family and inner circle to reassure them about his safety.
He said:
“I told my family and friends not to be alarmed. Those wishing me dead will not have their way.”
Obasanjo, who spoke in Yoruba during the ceremony, questioned the motivations behind such damaging rumours.
“Why would anyone wish me dead? Those who harbour such thoughts will not escape tragedy themselves,” he stated.
He decried the rising tendency of false information to circulate quickly on social media.
“This kind of rumour is not only disturbing but shows the extent to which some people misuse technology. It is unacceptable,” Obasanjo added.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
