X User Issues Public Apology to Adekunle Gold Over False Death Claim
An X user, identified as @boutmoneey12 and known as 'MR money', has publicly apologized to Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold after posting a false claim about the death of his six-year-old daughter, Deja. The apology was made on Monday morning, following a viral post that attracted massive views and heavy criticism from social media users.
Unverified Screenshot Leads to Controversy
The X user explained that he had stumbled upon a screenshot on Facebook and believed it was genuine at the time. He admitted that he failed to verify the information before sharing it, expressing deep regret for the confusion and hurt caused by the post. In his apology, he stated, "I want to offer my deepest and most sincere apologies to Adekunle Gold. The screenshot I shared was something I came across on Facebook, and at the time, I genuinely believed it was real. I had no idea it was false or fabricated. I deeply regret posting it and for any confusion, hurt, or misinformation it may have caused. I take full responsibility for not verifying it first. I’m truly sorry, and I hope you can forgive me for this mistake."
Viral Post and Backlash
The initial post, which included an image of Adekunle Gold and his daughter Deja, falsely claimed that the Afrobeats and Fuji singer had lost his only daughter to Canavan disease, a rare genetic disorder. The post gathered approximately two million views and over 600 comments, with many users condemning it as clout chasing and calling for the user's arrest. Social media reactions were harsh, with one user, @fabulous_mercys, commenting, "Lies!! You knew it was fake… but because you desperately need Banger, You are apologising because the tweet already hit 1.5m, And you still quote the tweet to farm more impression… Omo! You guys are mean ooo, playing with a child's death because of impression?? Sell your conscience because of impression….. God forbid o."
Netizens React to the Apology
Other social media users expressed skepticism about the sincerity of the apology. @Ganiyat1992 noted, "Make dem no listen to you... no be today you start dey do am. Yesterday, you said lill Kesh was beating to de>t!!" while @IliyaBenoni wrote, "Your timeline has proven that you're used to pushing all these agenda for banger, I really wish AG use you to set example. This is too much." As of the time of reporting, Adekunle Gold and his family have not made any official statement regarding the matter.
Broader Context of Social Media Misinformation
This incident highlights ongoing issues with misinformation on social media platforms, where unverified claims can quickly go viral and cause significant harm. It follows similar controversies, such as when Isaac Fayose apologized for making controversial remarks about the Igbo people, urging unity among Nigeria's ethnic groups. The case underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing, especially when it involves sensitive topics like family and health.
