Anxiety over Nasarawa Governor Al-Makura’s rumoured death

There was apprehension yesterday in Nasarawa State over the rumoured death of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura in a London hospital.

The rumour, which spread like wildfire across the state, started on Sunday night when Governor Al-Makura was allegedly flown abroad due to ill health.

Nigerian Pilot gathered that top government officials in the governor’s cabinet had tried to conceal the information but when it became impossible, some of them told the governors’ supporters not to lose sleep over the matter.

Apparently to allay the fears of the people, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yakubu Lamai, in a statement he issued to newsmen in Lafia yesterday, described the rumour as false and a campaign strategy devised by political opponents to gain public attention.

He said: “Our attention has been drawn to rumours being peddled mostly online and by words of mouth that the health of His Excellency Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is at risk or in question.

“We wish to use this medium to assure the entire citizens of Nasarawa State and confirm with clarity that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is alive, hale and hearty and in excellent health,” he said.

Lamai averred that his boss was not a stranger to the political campaigns and appealed to politicians to focus on issue-based electioneering.