On August 19, 2023, an X user (formerly Twitter) posted a photo showing Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, bowing and shaking hands with Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The user, an avid Tinubu supporter of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, posted the photo with the caption: “I want to collect the tears of Obidients, so please, if you see this, just RT.”
As of the time of this report, the post had been viewed over 180 thousand times, with over 1,000 reposts, 57 quotes, and over 2,000 Likes.
Verification:
The image was examined using Google Reverse Image Search, which revealed that it had been edited with image manipulation software. The search led us to the original image, which shows Bola Ahmed Tinubu exchanging pleasantries with billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote when the latter paid Tinubu a visit at the Defence Headquarters on April 26, 2023.
Investigations show that Dangote’s image had been cropped out and replaced with Obi’s image in the photo.
It was discovered that the photo was originally created by an X (formerly Twitter) user.
A thorough examination of the account’s activities reveals that the user frequently manipulates images of public figures and politicians, particularly those of Peter Obi and Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a post, the user declared himself the official BAT “photoshopper”.
The photo was also customised with the Latin phrase “Caveat lector”, modelled after “caveat emptor” which means “Let the readers beware”. It warns a reader to take careful note of the content of what he reads and to undertake due diligence on whether the contents are accurate, relevant, or reliable.
Verdict: False
Conclusion
The claim that Peter Obi was exchanging handshakes with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is False. Investigations show that the photo has been manipulated.
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