Okpebholo links attack on Edo comedian to cult activities
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo addressed the recent assault on comedian Osagie Idieda, widely known as MC Porkupyne, during a meeting with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Government House in Benin City on Tuesday.
The comedian was reportedly attacked in the early hours of October 24 while returning from a birthday celebration for the wife of a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Okpebholo stated that preliminary intelligence linked the incident to cult-related activities. He dismissed claims suggesting government involvement in the attack as “fake news.”
“I learned the incident occurred at 1 a.m. while I was in Kaduna State. When I saw the news on social media attributing the incident to the government, I was surprised. This is fake news,” Okpebholo said. He went on to inquire about the attackers’ identities, noting that Idieda reported they were masked and that he could not recognize them.
“When I asked how many people attacked him, he said there were eight. So, you were able to count the number of people who beat you, but you cannot identify who they are? For me, that is fake news,” he added.
The governor urged the public to rely on credible reports from established media outlets rather than unverified social media claims. He emphasized the prevalence of misinformation, saying, “There are so many things on social media that are fake.”
Okpebholo also refuted rumors regarding the alleged dismissal of his Chief Security Officer (CSO). “Just because my CSO was away for training and has not been seen for two days doesn’t mean he has been sacked. That is not journalism; that is fake news,” he stated.
In his remarks, the governor praised journalists for their crucial role in promoting national unity and democracy, acknowledging their contributions in often challenging and dangerous circumstances. “You have fought for what we enjoy today and for the peace of Nigeria. You remain in our hearts,” he said, recognizing the essential nature of their work in a functioning democracy.
