A former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, has debunked the rumour of his death, saying that “I’m “hale and hearty.”
The speculation that Anenih passed away in a London hospital on Wednesday morning had gone viral on the social media.
But the former Minister of Works, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday, said that he was not only healthy but had also not visited any hospital.
He said, “Thank God I am hale and healthy. I have not visited any hospital. I am speaking to you personally. I don’t know where those people get their information from.
“God has extended my life span beyond their expectation and he will still extend my life span beyond what I also expected.”
Earlier, the PDP in Edo State had dismissed the speculation over the alleged death of Anenih.
The state Chairman of party, Chief Dan Orbih, described the claims as a satanic rumour, total fabrication and handiwork of mischief makers when our correspondent called to seek the confirmation of the rumoured death of the politician.
“That is a satanic rumour. People are just lying and lying secretly. I have talked to him twice today (Wednesday). We spoke yesterday (Tuesday); he is strong.
“I don’t know how people can go about this kind of useless rumour. Please tell whoever is drawing your attention to it that he should ask for God’s forgiveness,” Orbih said.
Also, a former youth leader of the PDP, Mr. Vincent Akhere, said that although the former Minister of Works underwent a surgical operation “not long ago, he (Anenih) is doing well.”
He added that Anenih had travelled to London on Tuesday and would return to the country at the weekend.
Akhere said, “I spoke with him on the telephone about 15 minutes ago. Chief is well, alive and kicking. We even joke over the matter. It is true that chief had a surgery not too long ago. But he is fine now.”