On July 14, 2023, a Twitter user tweeted that Bola Tinubu, the president of Nigeria promised that if voted into power, he will negotiate with IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu. 72 hours after, the tweet has garneded over 139,000 views. Since Tinubu assumed the presidency, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has emerged as one of...
Author: Aluko Ahmad (Aluko Ahmad)
Post
Post
FACT CHECK: Is the Nigeria Restructuring Bill 2021 ready for NASS endorsement?
Social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, have been buzzing with a viral message claiming that the one month old administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finalized the “Nigerian Economic Restructuring Bill 2021.” The heading of the message reads “STATE OF THE NATION………. NIGERIA RESTRUCTURING BILL CONCLUDED READY FOR RATIFICATION:” The broadcast message ended with “A...
Post
All We Know About Abba Kabir-led Government Demolition Spree in Kano
On May 29, 2023, the newly sworn-in Kano governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) made some announcements in his inaugural speech. The highlight of the announcement was the immediate demolition of illegal structures erected within some identified public places in Kano state. Corroborating the stance of the government, the newly...
Post
FACT CHECK: Has Ebonyi Airport been abandoned by commercial airlines? Here’s all we know…
A viral image circulating on Facebook claims that the newly commissioned Ebonyi Airport has been abandoned by commercial airlines and transformed into a motor park. This news is gaining attention a few months after the airport’s inauguration. Claim: The Ebonyi airport has been abandoned by commercial airlines Verification: On April 27, 2023, the Muhammadu Buhari...
Post
Fact Check: Tinubu orders immediate re-opening of all Nigeria borders?
A video, attached with the caption “Breaking: President Asiwaju Tinubu orders immediate opening of all Nigeria borders. #The renewed hope is here” trended during the week. The viral video which trended on various social media platforms comes almost two weeks after the President made crucial announcements including the removal of fuel subsidy. Claim: Did Tinubu...
Post
FACT CHECK: Did CBN devalue the Naira to 630/$1?
On June 1, 2023, Daily Trust reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has devalued the Naira to 630/$1. The report on the country’s currency devaluation was shared on the Newspaper’s Twitter page and as of the time of this report, the tweet has garnered over 500,000 views. This is coming a few days...
Post
FACT CHECK: Did Nigeria spend $10 billion on fuel subsidy in 2022 as claimed by Shettima?
On May 30, 2023, the vice president of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, addressed the media shortly after he settled in his office. He spoke on the petroleum product subsidy which has generated mixed reactions and led to long queues across fuel stations in Nigeria. Lending his voice in support of his principal and the president, Bola...
Post
FACT CHECK: Is the use of phones disallowed at the presidential election petition tribunal?
On May 23, 2023, a Twitter user posted a tweet that “No phones, No live broadcast. Has the Nigerian Presidential Election Tribunal turned into a secret trial?” As of the time of this fact-check, the tweet has garnered over 34,000 views and 7000 retweets. Claim I: Is the use of phones disallowed at the Tribunal?...
Post
FACT CHECK: Garba Sheu releases press statement with multiple claims
On May 16, 2023, The Guardian released a news article titled “Buhari leaves inflation at highest in 17 years.” The report showed that headline inflation has risen to 22.22% which is the highest in 17 years. The Guardian news report quoted the last consumer price index (CPI), released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)....
Post
FACT SHIELD: All you need to know about off-cycle elections in Nigeria
Following the release of the timetable for off-cycle elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and their political actors in Nigeria kicked off plans and activities for the elections. The off-cycle elections will take place in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states. Subsequently, political parties held primary elections and presented their gubernatorial candidates...