
He confirmed his well-being and expressed bewilderment regarding the source of these baseless rumors circulating on social media that he had passed on at the age of 89.
Upon being contacted by a Vanguard editor, General Gowon categorically denied the claims, affirming that he is very much alive and in good health.
Reacting to these speculations, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, the Delta State Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the 2023 election, refuted the rumors. Gbagi, a former Minister of State for Education and someone closely associated with the war hero, dismissed the speculations as the work of mischief-makers.
Gbagi's Chief Press Secretary, Orusi Kenneth, conveyed the message on his behalf, confirming that General Gowon is indeed alive and well in London. Gbagi stated, "General Gowon is still very much with us, hale and hearty. He is not in a hurry to go anywhere."
He further emphasized, "I, Gbagi, just spoke with him. I hereby refute the rumor of the death of my friend, General Gowon. He has communicated to Nigerians that he is still very much around, hale and hearty. Gowon is alive."
It is worth noting that these rumors on social media appeared to have arisen following the passing of a man named Gowon, Professor Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo, the former Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State, who tragically passed away on a Saturday. He had also served as the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.