A former Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo, on Tuesday debunked speculations of his death, which made the rounds on the internet.

Mr. Sekibo, a medical practitioner, told PREMIUM TIMES exclusively that his rumoured death is the handiwork of his detractors.

Reports, early Tuesday, claimed the River State-born politician is dead.

It said Mr. Sekibo died while on his way out of the country for medical attention, adding that a close family associate confirmed the report.

But while speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Sekibo, who sounded surprised at the news, said he is alive and had not even been sick.

He claimed the reports were politically motivated.

“It is unbelievable that people could go this far in trying to destroy another person,” the former minister said. “Election is just by the corner and a lot of people don’t want me around and that is why they are coming up with the rumour. I am not dead. It is all rumour.”

Mr. Sekibo is only one of many Nigerian public officials who were once rumoured to have died in the past when indeed they were alive and healthy.