Today February 25, 2023, Within Nigeria published a news article crawled onto the Phoenix Browser app titled “Abuja PDP chairman dies on Election Day.”
The news read thus “The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, Sunday Zaka has reportedly passed away. According to the media report, Zaka, who is popularly known as HIV, died at about 3 am on Saturday in a fatal accident while on his way to his residence in Kuje. He died alongside his personal security after some party activities at the city center. The family is yet to confirm the unfortunate incident but a chieftain of the party, Michael Kpatuba broke the news via a post on his Facebook page on Saturday morning. “Dying Election day is really heartbroken to the FCT, PDP family. “Rest in peace, Hon Zaka Sunday, FCT PDP Chairman”, the post read.
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE CLAIM
The death of a political party chairman on Election Day can have a significant impact on the political landscape of the region. The news of the death of a political party chairman on Election Day can also affect public perception of the party and its candidates. This event could also affect voter turnout in the region on said Election Day.
CLAIM
N-VA extracted the claims, “Abuja PDP chairman dies on Election Day” The researcher went on to fact-check and verify the authenticity of the claim.
VERIFICATION
According to a PDP member who confirmed the incident to TheCable, Zakka was on his way to Kuje, his hometown, in preparation for Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections when the accident occurred. He was said to have died alongside his security aide.
The Cable reported that the accident occurred along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport-Kuje Road in Abuja, and it was caused by speed violation, which led to loss of control, according to Bisi Kazeem, the public education officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The deceased victims were taken to the National Hospital in Abuja by their relatives before the arrival of the FRSC team.
VERDICT
The claim that “Abuja PDP chairman dies on Election Day” is TRUE.
