A fresh wave of misinformation has hit social media, claiming that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has passed away. This follows an earlier unverified report alleging that the former Rivers State governor collapsed on Sunday and was rushed to France after suffering a partial stroke.
The latest claim, which is spreading like wildfire across various online platforms, has prompted concern among political associates and supporters. Many have been reaching out to Wike’s close aides in an attempt to verify the situation.
One of Wike’s aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed the rumors as a politically motivated smear campaign. According to him, those behind the false reports are “wicked political opposition figures” who believe that Wike’s death would serve their interests and help resolve the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
“These are desperate people who see Wike as a stumbling block to their agenda. Since they cannot silence him politically, they have resorted to spreading fake news about his health and now his supposed death,” the aide stated.
Contrary to the death rumors, Wike was seen in public as recently as Sunday when he led a delegation of FCT community leaders to pay a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Photographs and videos from the visit show him interacting with the President and other dignitaries, clearly in good health.
The spread of such unfounded stories has once again raised concerns about the dangers of misinformation and the role of social media in fueling political tensions. While Wike remains a polarizing figure in Nigerian politics, fabricating health scares and death hoaxes to undermine his influence only deepens the existing divide.
As the Rivers State political crisis persists, observers warn that the public must remain vigilant against the manipulation of narratives designed to create instability. For now, Wike remains active in his role as FCT Minister, and all indications point to the falsehood of the latest claims about his demise.
