Garba Shehu, one of the spokesperson to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, has refuted internet rumours that the ailing leader has passed on while in London.
A fake news website reported on Sunday, May 14, 2017 that the president had passed on in London and was to be flown home for burial. The report soon caught on and began to trend on social media.
Shehu said this on Sunday while reacting to speculations on social media that Buhari had died
He described the speculations as “baseless rumour”, urging Nigerians to disregard them.
“Baseless rumours are trending again that an unpleasant thing has happened to our beloved president, Muhammadu Buhari,” he tweeted.
“If you have received this information on WhatsApp or Facebook, disregard it because it is plain lies spread by vested interests to create panic
If you have received this information on WhatsApp or Facebook, disregard it bcos it is plain lies spread by vested interests to create panic
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) May 14, 2017
“Nothing unpleasant has happened to the president. No cause for apprehension. Thanks for the many calls.”
Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, had earlier said “only God’s counsel shall stand” regarding the president’s health.
Adesina was also reacting to rumours on Buhari’s health.
Buhari left the country for a medical vacation last week Sunday, saying his doctors will determine the period of his stay.
