It was confusion galore for the better part of Monday, as the health status of a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Prestige Ossy was not certain, when it was rumoured that the lawmaker had passed on.
With reports from some online news platforms that Ossy, who represents Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the current assembly of the house died before the 2020 Yuletide break of the parliament, amidst allegations of coverup, his family and office debunked the rumour in a media statement.
What was seemingly clear at the time of this report was that the lawmaker is “critically ill”, but not dead, as his family and his office at the National Assembly explained that the lawmaker is currently attending to his health issues in Europe.
Some online media reports announced his death on Sunday, with one making a specific reference through a group under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Abia (CCA), accusing the family and his political party of hiding his death report, but a statement on Monday, jointly signed by a representative of his family and his office denied the death rumour
The statement signed by Rtn. Chukwu Nnanna (family), and George Ezikpe Okiyi (his office) stated that the death report was politically motivated, noting that Ossy was on medical vacation abroad, saying “all men of goodwill” should pray for the lawmaker’s healing.
“The attention of the Family and the Office of Hon. Prestige Ossy, the member representing the Aba North/South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly has been drawn to the premeditated “obituary” announcement as written and published by some online mediums.
“Probably due to the political motivation behind the story and not minding its sensitivity, the publishers went ahead to publish the same even after admitting that they did not reach out to the family for confirmation.
“Hon. Prestige Ossy has a young family and large population of admirers whose feelings needed to have been considered regardless of the political intrigues at play. Hon. Prestige Ossy suddenly reported sick some six months ago and is presently receiving specialist care in Europe where he was transferred to after initial treatment in the United Kingdom”, the statement read in part.
