Pete Edochie Death Hoax: Why Celeb Rumors Run Wild Online

Fake News Frenzy: Pete Edochie's 'Death'

Rumors claiming the death of legendary actor Pete Edochie swept across social media on Tuesday, sparking confusion and concern. An X user with the handle @Heismikel1 ignited the chaos by falsely stating that Pete's elder son had confirmed his passing. However, BBC News Pidgin's quick fact-checks busted these claims, revealing them as pure fabrications.

Linc Edochie, Pete's son, set the record straight, assuring everyone that his father is very much alive.

"My papa still dey alive and well," Linc Edochie confirmed to BBC.

This isn't the first time Pete Edochie has been the target of such rumors. He's in the company of other celebs like Olu Jacobs and musician Sunday Adegeye, known as Sunny Ade, who have also fallen victim to similar hoaxes.

The Viral Nature of Celebrity Death Hoaxes

In Nigeria's digital landscape, rumors of celebrity deaths pop up all too often. Social media expert Oluwatobiloba Oluwatoyin explains that these fake news stories thrive because they drive traffic, which translates to money. "The rave now is what people call 'banger boys,' where they write anything just to gain traffic and earn from platforms like Elon Musk's X," he noted.

Another motive behind these rumors is the race to be the first to break news, often targeting celebs who have been out of the limelight. "That's why they choose celebs like Olu Jacobs, Pete Edochie, etc., mostly just to get traffic on their blogs," Oluwatoyin added.

Monetizing Misinformation

The X creator monetization program rewards users based on engagement, which encourages sensational posts. News of a celebrity's death guarantees engagement through disbelief, prayers, and emotional reactions, all feeding the algorithm. This setup has turned misinformation into a profitable business model, where even corrections and backlash count as engagement.

While platforms like X discourage misinformation, their monetization mechanics often inadvertently reward virality over accuracy.

Who is Pete Edochie?

Born on March 7, 1947, in Enugu State, Pete Edochie grew up in Kaduna, where his father worked with the Nigerian Railways. He attended school in Zaria before joining his father at the Railways and later fleeing the North due to rising tensions before the civil war.

Edochie's career in radio broadcasting began at 20 with the Eastern Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. By 1980, he received formal training at the British Broadcasting Corporation and became the pioneer director of Anambra Broadcasting Service 3FM Stereo in 1987.

Before retiring, he left an indelible mark on television with his iconic role as Okonkwo in the adaptation of Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart." A father of six, including Nollywood stars Yul and Linc, he has been honored with several awards, including the AMAA Industry Merit Award and City People Lifetime Achievement Award.