Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly reacted to the circulation of an alleged obituary photo of his principal. The reaction comes after rumors spread that the FCT Minister had collapsed at an event in Abuja last Friday, sparking fears about his health.
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with posts claiming that Wike had passed away, with some users sharing a photo that appeared to show an obituary notice of the Minister. This led to widespread speculation about his condition and even suggestions that he had died following a collapse.
However, on Sunday, Wike made a public appearance, putting those rumors to rest. The Minister was seen leading a group of community leaders from the Federal Capital Territory to pay Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. His appearance served as confirmation that he was in good health and had not collapsed or died, contrary to the claims circulating online.
The rumors about Wike’s health began on Friday, after reports emerged of his alleged collapse at a public event in Abuja. While details of the event remained unclear, social media quickly took over, with numerous users spreading the claim that the Minister had collapsed and was in a coma. The spread of this false information was fueled by the circulation of an image purported to be an obituary of the Minister.
Many Nigerian social media users, especially on platforms like TikTok and X, began speculating about Wike’s condition. Some even shared photos of the obituary, causing panic among his supporters and the general public. The situation became particularly alarming when some users made bold claims that the FCT Minister had passed away, further intensifying the rumors.
In the wake of these unfounded claims, Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, moved swiftly to address the situation. Olayinka took to his official X account to debunk the rumors and clarify the truth. He described the obituary photo as false and misleading, accusing actress Hilda Dokubo of being involved in spreading the story.
In his reaction on social media, Olayinka accused Hilda Dokubo, a well-known Nigerian actress, of being paid to create the false story surrounding Wike’s health. He claimed that Dokubo had been hired to spread the news about Wike’s alleged collapse, which was intended to damage the Minister’s reputation.
According to Olayinka, Dokubo was reportedly paid millions of naira by political opponents of Wike to create and circulate the obituary photo, adding a layer of drama to the situation. He further insinuated that the goal was to cause political unrest or confusion within Wike’s camp, especially ahead of key political events.
Olayinka posted on X: “But normal normal, Fubara suppose collect his money from this Hilda Dokubo. After collecting millions of naira from Opobo Judas of Rivers to stage Wike’s obituary pictures and do some rituals, they cooked up that story of Wike collapsing and being in coma so that Fubara will be happy that they have delivered.”
The post went on to accuse other individuals, including Ugochinyere, of being involved in duping Fubara (a likely reference to a political figure), calling out a coordinated effort to create false narratives about Wike. His comments reflected the growing frustration within Wike’s camp over the circulation of baseless rumors aimed at undermining his credibility.
The incident highlights the role of social media in amplifying rumors and misinformation, a growing challenge in Nigerian politics. Social media platforms like TikTok and X have become powerful tools for spreading both accurate and false information. In this case, the spread of the obituary photo contributed to the public’s confusion about Wike’s health.
While some social media users may have been quick to accept the obituary photo without verifying its authenticity, others took it upon themselves to call out the false narrative. The viral nature of these platforms means that once a story gains traction, it can be difficult to retract or clarify before it has caused significant damage to the person at the center of the rumor.
Political figures in Nigeria, like Wike, often find themselves the targets of such rumors, especially when they are involved in contentious or high-profile political battles. The ease of spreading false information through social media channels means that public figures must remain vigilant and quick to address any misinformation.
Hilda Dokubo, the actress named in Olayinka’s social media posts, is a prominent Nigerian actress and public figure. She has appeared in numerous Nollywood films and has built a strong fan base throughout her career. However, her involvement in political matters has often been a topic of discussion.
Despite the rumors, Wike’s appearance on Sunday at the State House seemed to put an end to the false claims about his health. Leading the FCT community leaders to pay Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister demonstrated his physical well-being and refuted any suggestions that he had collapsed or passed away.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and has recently been appointed as the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory. His role in the current administration places him at the center of political discourse, and any rumors or attacks on his health or character are likely to have political ramifications. The swift reaction from his aide, Olayinka, reflects the importance of maintaining control over public narratives, particularly in the face of damaging rumors.
