Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has once again dismissed rumours of his death, condemning what he described as a persistent and baseless hoax that has followed him for years.
The latest false report is part of a series of fabricated stories that date back to 2012, including claims that he died overseas or perished in an air crash. The 78-year-old screen icon, fondly known as Ebubedike, remains active and widely respected in the film industry, with honours such as Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and the AMVCA Industry Merit Award to his name.
Expressing his frustration, Edochie said he has been falsely declared dead about seven times. The most recent rumour alleged that he had been rushed to hospital and died, with claims that his son, Uche Edochie, confirmed the news on Instagram.
In a telephone interview with Vanguard on Tuesday, the actor firmly debunked the report. “I’m alive and will die when my maker calls me home,” he said.
Recounting previous instances, he noted that there were claims he died while travelling abroad, and at one point, rumours circulated that a plane he boarded from Enugu to Ethiopia had crashed and he did not survive. On another occasion, he said, his wife received an early morning call from someone who claimed to have heard that he had passed away. Just last year, he added, a report from Ghana alleged that he was already buried.
Reflecting on the recurring rumours, Edochie shared a lesson he learned from Nigeria’s first President, the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, whom he once interviewed. According to him, Azikiwe said that those who wish death upon others often die before their targets.
Looking ahead to his 79th birthday on March 7, the celebrated actor expressed confidence in his longevity, noting that his father lived to the age of 96. “We have longevity in my family,” he said.