By Sarah Eze
A Nigerian blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu, has publicly admitted to fabricating multiple stories about Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his son, Ozonna Soludo, acknowledging that the reports were entirely false and created to drive online engagement and generate advertising revenue.
The apology was contained in a video shared on Ofoegbu’s social media platforms and was also disclosed in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime.
Ofoegbu, who identifies himself as the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, admitted that several reports and videos he published about Governor Soludo and his son were fabricated and not based on verified facts.
The false reports emerged after a viral video showed Ozonna dancing to a song that mentioned several Nigerian politicians, including his father.
Among the fabricated claims, Ofoegbu falsely alleged that Governor Soludo had disowned his son and was no longer responsible for his actions.
He also admitted inventing an interview in which Ozonna was portrayed as rejecting his father and making disparaging remarks about him.
The blogger further acknowledged fabricating quotes attributed to both Governor Soludo and his son and presenting them as authentic news reports.
In his apology, Ofoegbu said neither Governor Soludo, Ozonna, members of their family, nor any official representative granted the interviews or made the statements he attributed to them.
“I wish to offer my deepest and most sincere apology to Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, his family, and the general public,” he said.
“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative. They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news.”
Ofoegbu said he created the false content solely to increase engagement on his social media platforms and boost advertising revenue.
He also apologised to readers of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, the people of Anambra State and members of the public who may have read or shared the fabricated reports.
“I am really sorry to Nigerians and to the Soludo family for what I have caused them. I will do everything possible to retract the false claims,” he said, adding that he was committed to ensuring such an incident would not happen again.
The fabricated reports included false claims that Governor Soludo had disowned his son, as well as invented remarks purportedly made by Ozonna criticising his father.
Ofoegbu also admitted publishing other fabricated headlines containing false statements attributed to both the governor and his son as though they were genuine news.
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