By Jacob Onuha Nelson
The Jonglei State Government has refuted and dismissed what it described as baseless and false information circulating on social media about the current health status of the Governor.
The response followed the social media propaganda that the Governor died while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital in Kenya.
Some blogs reported that governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok was critically sick while others report that the governor wasn’t alive.
In response to the online circulation, the Governor’s Press Unit dismissed the malicious claims surrounding the health of the Governor of Jonglei State.
“This claim is baseless, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary alarm among the public,” the statement read in part.
According to the statement, Governor Riek is alive, receiving medical care, and is expected to resume his official duties in the state.
“We hereby clarify that Governor Riek Gai is alive, in stable condition, and receiving appropriate medical care. His health continues to improve, and he is expected to resume his official duties in due course,” it noted.
The state government advised the public to disregard the misinformation and remain vigilant against propaganda disseminated by unreliable sources.
The statement also urged media practitioners and the general public to fact-check and verify information before disseminating it for public consumption.
“We urge all media practitioners and the general public to exercise responsibility by verifying information before circulation, in order to maintain peace, trust, and stability within our community,” it added.