… Says I’m hale, hearty

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

FORMER two-time Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih yesterday debunked his rumoured death which went virile on the social media.

The social media yesterday alleged that the elder statesman died of cancer-related ailment in a London hospital.

But Anenih, who personally spoke to newsmen on telephone in Benin yesterday, said: “I thank God I am hale and hearty. I have not visited hospital. I am speaking to you personally. I don’t know where those people get their information.
“God has extended my life span beyond their expectation and He will still extend my life span beyond what I also expected.”

Two political associates of the elder statesman, Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, and a former youth leader of the party in the state, Vincent Akhere, who reacted to the rumoured death, described the claim as total fabrication and handiwork of mischiefmakers.

Akhere said he spoke with Chief Anenih on telephone yesterday morning and added that Anenih travelled to London on Tuesday and that he would be back in the country at the weekend.

“I spoke with him on phone 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.”

On his part, Chief Orbih said the rumour was unfortunate, adding that the people behind it should ask God for forgiveness.

Also reacting, Edo State chapter of the PDP dispelled the rumoured death of Anenih.

“We wish to inform the public, especially our sup- porters in Nigeria and Edo State in particular, that Chief Anenih is alive, hale and hearty and will return to Nigeria on Sunday after a brief visit to the United

Kingdom. Please disregard all the media propaganda currently going on,” the party said in a statement signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare.

A family source that spoke with Daily Sun also dismissed the rumour as unfounded.

The source that pleaded not to be named said the former works minister was not nursing any cancer-related ailment.

“There is no truth about what you heard and there is nothing to confirm.

“Chief Anenih has no history of cancer. Last year, when he travelled abroad for heart surgery, it was all over the media. He is hale and hearty.”