Former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda on Saturday dismissed reports on social media that he had died, saying he is alive and recovering from recent back surgery.
Yuguda made the remarks in interviews reported by Vanguard and Daily Post. He told the publications that the false report caused alarm, particularly in Bauchi State, where thousands of people contacted him to check on his condition. He said he was recovering from an operation and had been advised to rest at home.
“I am alive. I assure you that I am in good health. I was ill recently, but God has restored my health,” Yuguda said, according to Daily Post. Both outlets carried similar accounts of his comments and his explanation that the condition affected his back and required surgery. Vanguard and Daily Post published his statements.
Yuguda said the reaction to the social media reports showed the affection many Nigerians have for him. He told the outlets that more than 10,000 people from Bauchi called to verify whether he was alive and well, and that the volume of calls forced him to switch off his phone temporarily.
He described the medical advice he received after the operation, saying he had been told to take extended rest because ageing can affect the vertebrae and prolonged strain can lead to serious complications. He thanked well wishers, supporters and religious communities across the country for their concern.
On the source of the rumour, Yuguda said he did not consider himself to be in conflict with anyone. “I have no enemies. I do not harbour ill feelings towards anybody and I have no time for animosity. I only pray that God grants me a faithful end and a peaceful departure,” he told the publications.
Both Vanguard and Daily Post reported that some residents of Bauchi were said to have been emotional on hearing the rumour and only became convinced of Yuguda’s condition after they heard from him directly.
Featured image: Zisan Duniya via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
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