The fake report on Diri's alleged sextape – Bayelsa govt
The Bayelsa State government has reacted to reports that Governor Douye Diri was involved in a sexual escapade with a South African lawmaker, Zanele Sifuba, which is contained in an alleged leaked video circulating in the media social media and some online publications.
A statement released Saturday by Governor New Media Director Kola Oredipe described the video content and reports as fake news.
He said Diri did not know the lawmaker and had no contact or relationship with her, adding that the governor had not also visited South Africa in the past 10 years.
The statement titled 'Trending South African Sex Story: A Mere Distraction' read: "Our attention has been drawn to false news circulating online about Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State over an alleged leaked nude video of a South African woman legislator, Zanele Sifuba.
"The post linking the Governor to the allegation suddenly appeared on the Facebook page, allegedly belonging to the woman after it had been trending for over a week.
"Our investigation, however, revealed that said account is fake and was only created on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
"For a scandal that first surfaced on the South African media space on October 31st and was first linked to 'Nigerian youth', it is evident that those behind the new twist opened the parody account with the deliberate intention of tarnishing the image of the Governor of Bayelsa.
"Unfortunately, even without any effort to confirm the ridiculous allegation against a state governor, a few Nigerian online platforms rushed to publish the fake news from Facebook account 'Zanele Sifuba' without investigating its source.
“Let it be made clear that Governor Diri does not know and has had no contact or relationship with the said woman at the center of the scandal. He has also not been to South Africa for the past 10 years.
"Although we have heard of an alleged attempt to obtain 300,000 rand from her, the 'young blackmailer' is certainly not Governor Diri.
"Ask the question: Why would a governor of an oil-rich state resort to blackmail for just R300,000 (about N8 million)? This is just ridiculous.
"Clearly, the political spoilers have overstepped the mark in their desperation to tarnish the reputation of a hard-working, calm, peaceful and focused Governor of Bayelsa State.
"This story is just another failed attempt to distract the man who is committed to his development agenda for his state and who for the past six weeks has devoted his time and energy to managing the devastating flood that hit Bayelsa.< /p>
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the news as it lacks any basis and has no relation to the Governor of Bayelsa.
"Let it also be made clear that there are consequences for publishing lies. The anonymity of social media should not be used as a shield for slander and defamation, with serious legal implications. Unfortunately, the portals circulating this unverified message have fallen into the trap and its repercussions."
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The Bayelsa State government has reacted to reports that Governor Douye Diri was involved in a sexual escapade with a South African lawmaker, Zanele Sifuba, which is contained in an alleged leaked video circulating in the media social media and some online publications.
A statement released Saturday by Governor New Media Director Kola Oredipe described the video content and reports as fake news.
He said Diri did not know the lawmaker and had no contact or relationship with her, adding that the governor had not also visited South Africa in the past 10 years.
The statement titled 'Trending South African Sex Story: A Mere Distraction' read: "Our attention has been drawn to false news circulating online about Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State over an alleged leaked nude video of a South African woman legislator, Zanele Sifuba.
"The post linking the Governor to the allegation suddenly appeared on the Facebook page, allegedly belonging to the woman after it had been trending for over a week.
"Our investigation, however, revealed that said account is fake and was only created on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
"For a scandal that first surfaced on the South African media space on October 31st and was first linked to 'Nigerian youth', it is evident that those behind the new twist opened the parody account with the deliberate intention of tarnishing the image of the Governor of Bayelsa.
"Unfortunately, even without any effort to confirm the ridiculous allegation against a state governor, a few Nigerian online platforms rushed to publish the fake news from Facebook account 'Zanele Sifuba' without investigating its source.
“Let it be made clear that Governor Diri does not know and has had no contact or relationship with the said woman at the center of the scandal. He has also not been to South Africa for the past 10 years.
"Although we have heard of an alleged attempt to obtain 300,000 rand from her, the 'young blackmailer' is certainly not Governor Diri.
"Ask the question: Why would a governor of an oil-rich state resort to blackmail for just R300,000 (about N8 million)? This is just ridiculous.
"Clearly, the political spoilers have overstepped the mark in their desperation to tarnish the reputation of a hard-working, calm, peaceful and focused Governor of Bayelsa State.
"This story is just another failed attempt to distract the man who is committed to his development agenda for his state and who for the past six weeks has devoted his time and energy to managing the devastating flood that hit Bayelsa.< /p>
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the news as it lacks any basis and has no relation to the Governor of Bayelsa.
"Let it also be made clear that there are consequences for publishing lies. The anonymity of social media should not be used as a shield for slander and defamation, with serious legal implications. Unfortunately, the portals circulating this unverified message have fallen into the trap and its repercussions."
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