By David Onwuchekwa
The recent false rumour about the death of former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano, is not just irresponsible, it is dangerous and deeply unacceptable.
At a time when society is already grappling with misinformation, it is alarming that some individuals still exploit social media platforms to spread unverified and alarming claims simply for traffic, attention, or mischief.
It is noteworthy that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, through his Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, promptly debunked the false report. But the damage had already begun: panic among unsuspecting citizens, emotional distress to the family of the statesman, and needless tension across the State. No society should allow such acts to go unpunished.
The source of this baseless rumour must be thoroughly investigated, and whoever is responsible should face appropriate sanctions.
Holding perpetrators accountable will help deter future offenders and send a strong message that the dissemination of falsehoods, especially about matters as sensitive as life and death, will not be tolerated.
As social media continues to shape public opinion, content creators, bloggers, and online influencers must remember that credibility is not built on sensationalism but on truth, responsibility, and professionalism.
The reckless pursuit of clicks and engagement at the expense of people’s emotions and societal peace must come to an end.
The pranks must stop. It is time to restore sanity, discipline, and integrity to the online space.
