I Am Not Dead- Ex-minister cries out

A former Minister of Transport and an ex-governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, on Tuesday denied the report of his death, saying he was shocked that an online publication reported that he was dead.

The online publication, 247UReport, reported that Sekibo died early on Tuesday on his way out of the country for medical attention thus causing panic and confusion among the friends and associates of the ex-minister.

Sekibo, who spoke through his former Media Director, Mr. Jerry Needam, dismissed the report of his death, saying he was alive, hale and hearty.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt by Needam read, “The former Minister of Transport and governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, in the 2011 general elections in Rivers State, Dr. Abiye Precious Sekibo, is alive and strong.

“Sekibo, a medical doctor, is also shocked to learn of the unfounded, baseless and malicious stunt from the rumour mill about his sudden demise. Such evil imagination could only come from those already doomed and are disappointedly looking for co-travellers.”

He called on the general public to discountenance “such report from the social media and those peddling falsehood” and expressed gratitude to his relations and friends, who called to ascertain the true position.

Meanwhile, 247UReports.com late on Tuesday recanted its story that Sekibo had died.

A short message placed on its website on Tuesday read, “247UReports.com apologises to its readers for the false publication stating that Abiye Sekibo is dead. He is not dead. Apologies to Dr. Abiye Sekibo and his family.”