Former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, is alive and in excellent health, contrary to widespread social media rumours that falsely claimed he had passed away.
The misleading report, which circulated quickly across several online platforms on Friday, alleged that the former governor died in the United Kingdom, causing concern among his supporters and confusion within Anambra’s political environment.
In response, Obiano’s former Commissioner for Information, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, swiftly dismissed the claims, describing them as “false, mischievous, and completely unfounded.” Adinuba explained that he immediately contacted the former governor after seeing the reports and confirmed that Obiano is alive, well, and currently residing in the United States—not the UK as widely claimed.
According to him, “Obiano has never lived in the United Kingdom. He lives in the United States of America. I just spoke with him now,” urging the public to ignore the rumour completely.
Adinuba expressed worry that such reckless misinformation could create unnecessary emotional distress for Obiano’s family, close friends, and the people of Anambra State who may have been troubled by the fake news. He also called on online publishers, bloggers, and social media users to act more responsibly, warning that spreading unverified reports, especially death rumours, amounts to intentional misinformation and can weaken public confidence.
He emphasized that Chief Obiano remains “hale, hearty, and in high spirits” as he continues to live quietly abroad.
Who is Willie Obiano?
Willie Maduabuchukwu Obiano was born on 8 August 1955 in Aguleri, Anambra State. emerging from a background that would eventually lead him from the structured corridors of corporate finance into the unpredictable arena of Nigerian politics, where he held the position of Governor of Anambra State for a full eight years, beginning on March 17, 2014, and concluding exactly on March 17, 2022.
Before stepping onto the political stage, he had established himself as a proficient professional in accountancy, having earned his degree from the prestigious University of Lagos, and then climbing the ladder in several prominent institutions, including holding senior roles at First Bank, contributing his expertise to Chevron Nigeria, and ultimately serving in executive capacities at Fidelity Bank until his departure from the banking sector.
It was under the banner of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, commonly known as APGA, that Obiano first contested and secured the governorship, a victory he repeated in the 2017 elections, during which his administration placed a strong emphasis on fostering business growth, enhancing security measures, and driving overall economic progress throughout Anambra State.
Yet, in the period following the end of his time in office, Obiano has come under intense examination by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the body tasked with combating financial wrongdoing in Nigeria, due to serious accusations related to the mishandling of public funds during his leadership.
What You Should Know
Chief Willie Obiano, who served as Anambra State governor from 2014 to 2022, has been the subject of several unfounded rumours since leaving office.
The latest false report about his death highlights the dangers of unchecked social media claims and the need for responsible information sharing.
His former aide’s clarification confirms that Obiano is alive, healthy, and living in the United States, putting an end to the misinformation that caused public concern.
