“I am hale and hearty”, says Obasanjo dispelling rumours of his death after daughter’s wedding
Olusegun Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday denied rumours that he had been shot dead briefly after handing over his daughter in marriage last weekend.
News had filtered around on Monday that t Mr. Obasanjo was killed by an assassin’s
To quash the rumour which had sent shivers down the spines of millions of Nigerians and international political observers,, Obasanjo reacted in a telephone interview, saying first in his native language, Yoruba: “Nkankan o semi, kokoko lara mile bi ibon; ab’oo wa bami memu.”
Translated into English, it means: “I’m hale and hearty; nothing untoward has happened to me; will you come over and have a mug of palm wine with me.”
He then switched into English, adding: “I think you can recognise my voice, I am at Agbeloba, in Abeokuta here, I have heard the rumour too.
“Thank you for taking the trouble to find out. I understand that some of you have called Alhaji (his chief detail).”
Obasanjo, a retired General aged 73, prides himself on good health, boosted by regular exercise.
“I dey kampe,” (I am as fit as a fiddle) was his refrain whenever anyone asked if he was healthy enough when he was in Aso Rock.
He had given out one of his daughters in marriage on Saturday, 24 hours before the rumour spread like harmattan fire.
Lekan Togunwa, a lecturer at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, a native of Abeokuta North Council like Obasanjo, was among those who called Daily Independent to enquire about his death.
“What did you hear of Obasanjo, have you heard the rumour?” he asked.
The old man is fine, Togunwa was told.
“I thank you for taking the trouble to find out. There is nothing wrong with me, I thank you very much, and must tell you that I am hale and hearty, once again thank you so much for finding out. I am alive and doing well.”
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