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A Spokesman to former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, Prince Kassim Afegbua has debunked the rumoured death of his principal.
In a statement, Afegbua said Babangida was hale and hearty and went on to suggest that the proposed “fake news bill” might not entirely be a bad idea after all.
The retired general has in the past ‘survived’ several death rumours. It was no surprise therefore that one Twitter user, BABS@haiamkophee, remarked humorously: “Babangida remains the most “dead” Nigerian president ever.”
On June 8, 2016, the former military helmsman was forced to dispel rumours of his death while he was in Germany for a medical check up. In May 2019, it was again peddled that the Minna-born general was dead.
In September 2014, an online publication reported that Babangida was “seriously sick and hospitalised in Germany.” It also quoted a source, which claimed: “He may be dying.”
An associate of the ex-military leader had however dismissed the report, saying: “He is not at the point of death. In fact, he is getting better.”
In what might be an attempt to dismiss the latest rumour, a picture emerged online yesterday showing Babangida hosting former Senate President David Mark in his Minna residence.
In the signed statement, Afegbua said: “It has become consistent fake news for quite some time now wishing our own IBB, the one we easily refer to as “the last don” of Nigerian politics, dead. The ‘fake news bill’ would be a suitable response to this category of fake news carrier.
“IBB is very much alive and bubbling. He just started attending to friends and associates who came to see him today, Sunday, December 15, 2019, right here at his Minna Hilltop mansion. He is full of life and in his characteristic bubbling mood.
“May Allah forgive those who wish IBB dead. God is the giver and taker of life, not humans. Death, as the irrevocable end of all creation, will surely come to everyone some day and at the appointed time and hour, but to deliberately spread fake news and wish someone dead, is to take humanity to another bizarre level.
“May Allah forgive them. IBB, by the special grace of Allah, the omniscient and omnipotent One, shall live to fulfill his journey and destiny in life, to the consternation of those who are always wishing him dead. This is about the third time this year.
“We wish to thank those who took time to reach out to us, home and abroad, to find out the truth. We thank you all for your love, care and concern. May Allah grant us all good health, sound mind and long life. Amin.”
