The news first came to light in the evening on Thursday, 18 June and was confirmed by top journalist, Fisayo Soyombo. Soyombo took to Twitter to reveal that a source who has never been wrong told him that the former governor is dead.
A source who has never failed me in six years of knowing him has just confirmed to me the death, in Lagos today, of Abiola Ajimobi, former Governor of Oyo State, due to underlying health conditions worsened by the Coronavirus.
May his soul rest in peace.
— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) June 18, 2020
Several others also confirmed the news. However, journalist, Kemi Olunloyo debunked the rumours, saying that he is not dead, a claim that his media aide, Bolaji Tunji confirmed.
#BREAKING I was inundated by messages that fmr Governor @AAAjimobi Ajimobi has DIED in Lagos! I could not get info from Oyo lawmakers, elites, media. I have finally confirmed and spoke to the family 9:15pm 6/18/20??
He is ALIVE and talking recovering ??#KemiOlunloyo#kemitalks pic.twitter.com/lDIkRwkryM— Journalist #DrKemi ??? (@KemiOlunloyo) June 18, 2020
“I spoke with those around him not long ago and they confirmed to me that he is still alive. Please disregard news of his death as fake news,” Tunji told The PUNCH.
Ajimobi has been in isolation for the past two weeks with symptoms of the deadly pandemic, COVID-19.
Nonetheless, Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the news, with some expressing their condolences, and others calling on people to disregard the fake news.
Either way, it is unclear if Ajimobi, who was recently named APC’s acting national chairman, is truly dead or not.
See some reactions below:
I will do this just once. The time is 9:27pm and today is 18th June; 2020. Senator Isiaka Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi is alive.
Kindly disregard any rumour to the contrary. Thank you!!
— ERÚ Ñ DÚPÉ (@RajiDraj) June 18, 2020
Former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi is dead. The system him and his friends helped build took his life, same with Abba Kyari. They will look up to Nigeria from whatever afterlife there is and wish they did better.
— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) June 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/BhadmusAkeem/status/1273713715762913280?s=20
https://twitter.com/theakinakinboye/status/1273710455756918785?s=20
Why would such a rumor like this start in the first place. It would be easy for him to simply prove he’s alive.