14/02/2026
I’m Still Alive” – Pete Edochie Fires Back at New Death Rumours
Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has once again addressed recurring rumors about his death, voicing his annoyance over what he calls a persistent and misleading hoax that has followed him for years.
The seasoned actor, widely recognized as Ebubedike, revealed that he has been falsely reported dead around seven times, labeling the ongoing speculation as unfounded and malicious.
During a Tuesday phone interview with Vanguard, Edochie put the latest rumors to rest, making it clear that he is very much alive and in good health.
“I am alive, and I will only pass on when God decides it’s time,” he affirmed.
The 78-year-old reflected on multiple instances where fabricated stories of his death surfaced—including false claims that he had died overseas or in an air disaster.
“I’ve been pronounced dead about seven times. At one point, they said I traveled abroad and died there. On another occasion, they claimed the plane I took from Enugu to Ethiopia crashed and I didn’t survive,” he recounted.
He also shared a troubling experience involving his wife. “One morning, as my wife was getting ready for church, she received a call from someone who said they heard I had died that morning. Last year, someone from Ghana even claimed I was already buried,” Edochie added.
Drawing strength from a lesson he learned from the late statesman Nnamdi Azikiwe during an interview years ago, Edochie said: “Zik once told me that anyone wishing you dead will die before you. Those who wished him ill passed away before he did. That’s something I’ve never forgotten.”
Ahead of his 79th birthday on March 7, Edochie expressed gratitude for his well-being, attributing it to his family’s history of longevity. “My father lived until 96, so long life runs in the family,” he noted.
A recipient of the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and the AMVCA Industry Merit Award, Edochie remains one of Nollywood’s most iconic figures. Despite death hoaxes dating back to 2012, the beloved actor continues to command respect and admiration from fans across Nigeria and beyond.
