The Office of the Deputy Governor, Cross River State has debunked viral reports alleging that the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey was involved in an automobile accident.

In a statement on Monday, the office clarified that the Deputy Governor was not involved in any crash and that the incident involved only one vehicle in his convoy.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on Sunday, 9th August, while the Deputy Governor was returning from Northern Cross River, where he represented Governor Bassey Otu at a stakeholder engagement on the concession of the Obudu Ranch Resort.

“While the convoy was passing through Yakurr Local Government, the driver of the Government House Press bus lost control and ran into the barricades at an Army checkpoint,” the statement said.

The office stated that the vehicle involved was a Toyota Hiace purchased brand new in 2024, contrary to insinuations that it was an old vehicle.

“No other vehicle was involved in the incident, no life was lost, and only minor injuries were recorded among some of the occupants of that particular vehicle,” it stated.

It added that all affected persons were immediately evacuated from the scene and received prompt medical attention.

“In fact, all staff who were in the vehicle are in stable condition and have since resumed work,” the statement further said.

The office confirmed that the Deputy Governor himself was not involved in the incident and continued his journey safely to Calabar.

“The report is not accurate,” the statement emphasized, urging members of the public to disregard the viral report described as “laced with exaggerations.”

The Office of the Deputy Governor called on the media and the public to rely only on official communications from the Cross River State Government for accurate information.

“We appreciate the concerns of well-meaning citizens and the media, and we remain committed to transparency and timely dissemination of factual information,” the statement concluded.