Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has broken his silence on the reported attack on a Benin-based comedian, Osagie Idieda, popularly known as MC Porkupyne.
DAILY POST recalls that the comedian was reportedly attacked in the early hours of October 24 while returning from the birthday celebration of the wife of an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain.
Okpebholo spoke on Tuesday when he received members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council, at the Government House, Benin City.
Okpebholo alleged that intelligence gathered by the government linked the reported assault on the comedian to cult-related activities.
He described allegations of government involvement in the attack as fake news.
"I heard the incident occurred at 1 a.m. I was in Kaduna State when I saw the incident on social media, and they attributed it to the government. This is fake news.
"But intelligence gathering shows that it is cult-related. I asked him about the identities of those who attacked him. He told me that he didn't know them. He said they were wearing masks. So, if somebody wants to beat you at night, will they wear a mask?
"When I asked about the number of suspects, he said they were eight. So, you were able to count the number of people who beat you, but you cannot recognise who they are. So, for me, that is fake news," he said.
The governor urged members of the public to rely on credible reports from professional media organisations rather than unverified claims on social media.
According to him, "There are so many things down here on social media. They are fake."
The governor also refuted reports alleging that he had sacked his Chief Security Officer, CSO.
"So, if my CSO had travelled for training, because you have not seen him for two days, you said he's been sacked. That is not journalism. That is fake news. That is social media," he added.
Okpebholo commended journalists for their contributions to national unity and peaceful coexistence.
The governor noted that journalists had played significant roles in defending democracy and keeping Nigerians informed, often working under difficult and dangerous conditions to ensure that the public received information about events across the country.
"You people have contributed to Nigeria's democracy. You fought for what we are enjoying today. You fought for the peace of Nigeria. You fought for the unity of this country, and you remain in our hearts," he stated.
He added that journalists deserved recognition for their commitment to information dissemination, noting that their work remained essential to the functioning of democracy.