Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has denied allegations that he is responsible for the pregnancy of former Big Brother Naija housemate, Nengi Rebecca Hampson. The governor dismissed the claims as baseless, attributing them to political opponents seeking to damage his reputation.
The rumor began circulating after a popular blogging platform alleged that Governor Diri was involved in Nengi’s pregnancy. However, the reality TV star quickly debunked the speculation on her social media accounts, making it clear that the claims were false.
Reacting to the reports, Governor Diri expressed shock and disappointment, questioning why such falsehoods were being spread, particularly on a day of significance for his administration. The governor was celebrating his 5th anniversary in office when the rumors began gaining traction online.
In response, his Director of New Media, Dr. Kola Oredipe, issued a statement on social media, dismissing the allegations as mere fabrications with no factual basis. Oredipe criticized those behind the rumors, accusing them of attempting to undermine Governor Diri’s growing political influence.
“Nengi Rebecca Hampson has no personal relationship with Governor Diri,” Oredipe stated. “It is regrettable that purveyors of fake news are unhappy with the governor’s towering political profile.”
He went on to condemn the misuse of social media to spread misinformation, calling it an intentional distraction from the administration’s achievements. According to Oredipe, the false claims surfaced at the same time the governor was inaugurating a newly constructed road in Yenagoa, the state capital.
“This is a distraction,” Oredipe said. “It further justifies the need for regulating the use of social media platforms. Sadly, while we were commissioning a brand-new road in Yenagoa, certain social media ‘e-rat’s were busy fabricating lies against the governor.”
He described Governor Diri as a man of integrity and dignity, emphasizing that the allegations were politically motivated. Oredipe urged the public to disregard the rumors, reaffirming that they were nothing more than an attempt to divert attention from the governor’s ongoing developmental projects in Bayelsa State.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing concern over the spread of fake news on social media. Public figures, especially politicians, often find themselves at the center of baseless rumors aimed at discrediting their image. This case involving Governor Diri and Nengi serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of unchecked misinformation.
Despite the controversy, Governor Diri’s administration remains focused on delivering its mandate to the people of Bayelsa. The government has urged citizens to focus on the tangible progress being made in the state rather than engaging in baseless speculations.
As of now, neither Governor Diri nor Nengi has indicated any plans for legal action against those responsible for spreading the false claims. However, with misinformation continuing to be a growing problem in Nigeria’s digital space, there have been renewed calls for stricter regulations on social media content.
