Claim 1
The Viral Claim:
Security Operatives Arrest APC Gun Smugglers in Oredo, Edo State.
Fact-Check:
Verdict: NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE;
The video in question is related to the Edo State election, but the only confirmed arrests are of individuals associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Findings:
Security operatives have only confirmed the arrest of two individuals linked to the PDP.
Conclusion:
The claim lacks sufficient evidence. Always verify sensitive information from credible sources.
Claim 2
The Viral Claim:
Labour Candidate of Edo State Election Withdraws from Race.
An X user, @mrlurvy, posted an image of Olumide Osagie Akpata, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, with a letter purporting to show his withdrawal from the 2024 election in Edo State.
Fact-Check:
Verdict: FALSE
Olumide Akpata dismissed the viral claim on his verified X handle, stating that he is still in the race. He emphasized: “Let me be unequivocally clear: I AM STILL IN THE RACE.”
Findings:
Akpata’s statement directly contradicts the claim, confirming his continued candidacy.
Conclusion:
The claim is false and misleading. Always verify news with credible sources.
Claim 3
The Viral Claim
“INEC’s Commissioner for the Edo Guber Election is an APC member.”
An X user, @UchePOkoye, posted an image of Rodda Gumus, claiming that the INEC commissioner representing the South-South geopolitical zone is a member of the All Progressive Party (APC).
Fact-Check
Verdict: TRUE
Reputable news platforms, including The Cable, reported in 2022 that Gumus became a member of the APC on March 27, 2021, at Ward 08 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Her membership number is 58315, and her name is listed in the party’s register.
Findings:
The evidence confirms that Rodda Gumus is indeed a registered member of the APC, validating the claim.
Conclusion:
The claim is true. Always verify political affiliations and claims with reliable sources.
Claim 4
The Viral Claim
EFCC Arrests Vote Buyers in Ongoing Edo Guber Election.
An X user, @ADITOP45, posted a claim that personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested alleged vote buyers in Edo State, stating, “Edo Poll: EFCC Arrests Suspected Vote-Buyers.”
Fact-Check
Verdict: TRUE
Channels TV reported that operatives of the EFCC have indeed arrested suspected vote buyers during the ongoing Edo Governorship election. Three suspects—two males and one female—were apprehended in the Egor Local Government Area around 10:00 AM.
Findings:
The arrests by the EFCC during the election highlight ongoing efforts to combat electoral malpractices.
Conclusion:
The claim is true. Stay informed and verify news regarding electoral integrity.
Claim 5
The Viral Claim
Results Sheets Missing in Edo Polling Unit.
A video shared on Facebook by Ochogwu Fabby corroborated the report, stating that voters are protesting and have stopped voting because INEC officials arrived at Orhionmwon Ward 8, Unit 1 polling unit without the result sheets.
Fact-Check
Verdict: TRUE
The video confirms that voters expressed their refusal to vote until the result sheets were provided. This incident has also been reported by Sahara Reporters and The Whistler.
Findings:
Voters at the polling unit reported the absence of result sheets.
Conclusion:
The claim is true. It’s essential to ensure all necessary documentation is available for a fair voting process.
Claim 6
The Viral Claim
X User Quoted Obaseki’s ‘Do or Die Affairs’ on Saturday’s Election
An X user, @CrownPrinceCom2, tweeted that Godwin Obaseki, the Edo State Governor, said the election in his state is a “Do or Die affair.”
Fact-Check
Verdict: TRUE
Multiple news platforms, including The Nation and The Cable, confirmed that Gov. Godwin Obaseki described the election as a “do or die affair” for his party. In a report by Channels TV, Obaseki reiterated that he does not regret making this statement.
Findings:
The governor’s remarks were widely reported, and he affirmed his stance in subsequent interviews.
Conclusion
The claim is very true. Obaseki did indeed refer to the election as a “do or die affair” and stands by his statement.
Claim 7
The Viral Claim
LP Deputy Guber Candidate Accuses APC of Vote Buying.
The Leadership Newspaper and Nigerian Tribune reported that the Labour Party’s deputy governorship candidate in the Edo State election, Prince Asamah Kadiri, SAN, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of vote-buying.
Fact-Check
Verdict: MISLEADING
In a video aired on Arise TV, Prince Asamah Kadiri did not make a direct accusation. Instead, he mentioned receiving distress calls from his agent and other polling units, claiming that APC representatives were allegedly buying votes. He stated that upon his arrival, he did not witness the act firsthand.
Findings:
Kadiri shared reports from others but did not directly accuse the APC of vote buying based on his personal observation.
Conclusion
The claim is misleading. Kadiri referenced allegations made by others, but no direct accusations were made from his personal experience.
Claim 8;
The Viral Claim
Images Purport to Show Destruction of Ballots in Edo Election by Thugs
Fact-Check
Verdict: FALSE
The images shared on social media are not related to the ongoing Edo election. Multiple credible sources, including The ICIR, Premium Times, and Sahara Reporters, confirm that these pictures are old, dating as far back as 2019, and have been used in unrelated contexts. The claim of thugs disrupting the election remains unproven.
Findings:
The images have been repurposed from unrelated events and are not tied to the current election in Edo State.
Conclusion
This claim is false. The images were not taken during the ongoing election and have been misleadingly shared. Always verify the authenticity of images and information before sharing.
*This live-check was jointly researched and written by members of the NewsVerifier Africa.
