A claim that the Independent National Electoral Commission plans to conduct fresh elections in Edo state was sent through CDD’s Check by Meedan.
The claim comes on the heels of the just concluded Edo state gubernatorial elections held Saturday 21, 2024 which saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Monday Okpebholo declared winner.
According to the headline of the claim shared read, “INEC to Conduct Fresh Elections to Replace Edo Gov-Elect Okpebholo, His Deputy, Idahosa”.
Verification
CDD War Room went through the contents of the post and found the headline to be misleading.
According to the contents, the election to be conducted by the electoral commission is the bye-election aimed at filling the vacant position of the Edo central senatorial district and Ovia South West/Ovia North East Federal Constituency, which will be vacated by Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa respectively following their governorship election victory.
Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides for a bye-election to hold where a vacancy occurs in the Senate or House of Representatives.
Verdict: Misleading
While the contents of the news indicate that a bye-election will be held, the headline was clickbait.