#NigeriaDecides2023: Fact-check on major videos, posts circulating during election

Claim: A video circulating on Twitter claimed that IPOB terrorists sent by Simon Ekpa to terrorists were gunned down by Nigeria Police.

Fact: There was no location, time or credible source where the incident occured and there was no official statement from the Police. The claim is therefor FALSE.

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Claim: Was Labour Party’s logo missing for the Senate and House of Reps sections on ballot papers sent to Ondo State?

Fact: The claim was made by a Twitter user @Naija_PR and Punch and Daily Trust report validated the claim after it reported the exclusion of the party’s logo on the ballot papers to be used in the Ondo Central Senatorial District and five federal constituencies elections. The federal constituencies are; Akoko Southwest/Akoko Southeast, Ondo East/Ondo West, Akure North/Akure South, Okitipupa/Irele and Ese-Odo/Ilaje.

Claim: Social Media is agog with claims that President Muhammadu Buhari openly displayed his vote for Tinubu to Nigerians before casting it.

Fact: Buhari who cast his vote alongside his wife Aisha was seen on TV openly displaying his votes however, the photo used to circulate the claim was from 2015. In the photo, the then All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Mohammadu Buhari holds his ballot paper prior to casting his vote at a polling station in the “Gidan Niyam Sakin Yara A ward” at Daura in Katsina State on March 28, 2015.

Claim: A video circulating on WhatsApp and Facebook claims President Muhammadu Buhari voted for Labour Party’s Peter Obi

Fact:  FALSE. According to an examined screenshot from the video obtained where President Buhari casted his vote, the President actually voted for his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Buhari himself confirmed this in a statement.

Claim: How true are claims of CNN’s poll ahead of the election?

Fact: A reverse search of all the screenshots obtained turned up no link to any credible source. Similarly, online search of the keyword, “CNN Polls Nigeria,” turned up no result associated to the claim including on CNN’s website or it Youtube channel. The claim is FALSE.

Claim: A claim has been trending in Social Media and some blogs that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has extended elections in over sixteen states of the Federation.

Fact: FALSE. There’s no State of the Federation where vote casting has been extended. INEC only extended the voting time indefinitely in Enugu State to accommodate the late commencement of the exercise in many parts of the state.