In a stunning admission of modern-day "fake news" tactics, Nigerian blogger Ejike Ofoegbu has issued a sweeping public apology to Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, and his son, Ozonna.

Ofoegbu, the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and News, confessed that a series of sensational, viral stories he ran about the governor’s family were completely made up from thin air—all in a desperate bid to chase internet traffic and ad revenue.

The full retraction was shared publicly over the weekend by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor of Abia State.

From "Ordered from Temu" to Drinking Contests: The Fake Stories Retracted

If you spent any time on Nigerian social media recently, you likely ran into some of these bizarre headlines. Ofoegbu explicitly named and retracted several of his most viral fabrications, which included claims that:

  • Governor Soludo had publicly disowned his son, Ozonna.

  • Ozonna had allegedly called his father a "drunkard" who abused his mother.

  • In a bizarre, satirical post, the governor had "ordered Ozonna from Temu" (the budget e-commerce app).

  • Ozonna had supposedly challenged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to a drinking competition against his father.

"I state clearly and without reservation that every one of the statements above was fake," Ofoegbu wrote in his apology. "They should not be regarded as factual reports or genuine quotations. I take full responsibility for publishing them."

Weaponizing the Soludo vs. Peter Obi Narrative

The blogger didn't stop at family drama. He also admitted to stoking political fires by fabricating stories involving Governor Soludo and the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi—specifically inventing reports claiming Obi would soundly defeat Soludo in upcoming elections.

Ofoegbu confirmed these political hit-pieces were similarly unverified, baseless, and entirely untrue.

Driven by Dollars and Clout

In a moment of rare candour for the digital publishing world, Ofoegbu laid bare the exact motive behind his misinformation campaign: money and metrics.

"I sincerely admit that I published such stories in pursuit of online traffic, audience engagement, and financial gain. I now realise that no amount of money or online attention can justify spreading false information or damaging another person’s reputation."

He concluded his statement by directly begging Governor Soludo for forgiveness, while offering a broader apology to the Soludo family, the people of Anambra State, and his own readers for the reputational damage and embarrassment caused.