FACT CHECK: Gov Ugwanyi Did Not Throw Birthday Party Amidst COVID-19 Scare

A video had gone viral earlier today on social media creating an impression that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi of Enugu State, hosted a lavish birthday party amidst the coronavirus scare.

A report attached to the video had alleged that the governor, who recently turned 56, broke his own rule of social distancing, by hosting a crowd to mark his birthday anniversary.

However, a thorough investigation launched by Igbere TV into the development, revealed that the video is not new, neither was it an “organized gathering” of the governor’s friends who came to celebrate with him, as being alleged in some quarters.

Findings by Igbere TV on Thursday revealed that the said gathering was a meeting of all political office holders, who had met to discuss how to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in Enugu. Coincidentally, the meeting fell on a day that happens to be the governor’s birthday.

We had reported how a well wisher and attendee presented a surprise birthday cake to the governor during the course of the meeting, as seen in the viral video on circulation. The meeting was chaired by Gov. Ugwanyi himself.

According to findings, the governor had almost rejected the cake on the grounds that business of the day was for serious deliberations and not for any celebration, but for other attendees who prevailed on him to accept the cake.

It was at this point that merry songs broke out, with the political office holders in attendance singing and chanting birthday songs and hailing the governor, as captured in the viral video.

A reliable source at the meeting had informed us how Senator Ike Ekweremadu was asked by the State PDP Chairman to moderate the cutting of the cake, which he equally did.

It is, therefore, surprising to see people peddling lies and trying to misconstrue what really transpired on that day. For the records, the video in question was recorded and shared by Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze, a member of the Enugu House of Assembly.

A critical close-examination at the said video by an unbiased mind would show that the gathering was no birthday party at all. Or who organizes a party without drinks, food, music or entertainment?

We, therefore, as a media house, call on all those behind the false narratives attached to the video to discontinue and join the state government in its fight against the dreaded coronavirus pandemic.