Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), tweeted that there was no voting activity in some parts of Anambra State as the people complied with his “sit-at-home” order.
He said, “this is part of Anambra, Where are the noisemakers?” 25.2.2023. This is called ghost town activated! 25.2.2023 is a historic day for Biafrans”
Simon has been posing as the leader of the secessionist group since Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the group, was arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS).
Also a Finnish citizen, he has repeatedly promised to enforce a sit-at-home order and create voter apathy in the Southeastern part of the country during the general elections.
What we know
The CDD Election War Room fact-checkers contacted the CDD election observers in Anambra state. There are 21 local governments in the state, and of the 21, only Ihiala local government complied with the stay-at-home order.
The Observers further stated that there were no voting activities taking place in the local government as of 12:00 pm.
Residents in nine of the ten towns in the local government — Mbosi, Isseke, Azia, Orsumoghu, Ubuluisiuzor, Amorka, Uli, Lilu, and Ihiala town — did not go out to exercise their franchise.
However, we later learned that the voting process began late in Okija town of Ihiala local government.
Verdict
We could confirm from our findings that the video by Simon Ekpa indeed shows a part of the state, but the voting exercise went on smoothly in 20 of 21 local government areas in the state.