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  • Overview of Key Issues in the Pre-Election Period for the June 18, 2022 Ekiti State Governorship Election (Pre-Election Press Statement)

    Overview of Key Issues in the Pre-Election Period for the June 18, 2022 Ekiti State Governorship Election (Pre-Election Press Statement)

    T
    he first of two off cycle governorship elections for 2022 will be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State, on June 18, 2022. The election is the seventh in the state since the return of the current democratic dispensation in 1999. Following a 2010 Court of Appeal verdict, which removed then Governor Segun Oni, and declared Dr. Kayode Fayemi the rightful winner of the 2007 governorship election, Ekiti became one of several states holding off cycle governorship elections. The June 18, 2022 Ekiti State gubernatorial election is the very first to be conducted under the amended Electoral Act, 2022.

    As voters in Ekiti State head to the polls for tomorrow’s governorship election, the contest is apparently shaping up to be a three horse race involving the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which has clearly emerged as a third force in the election. CDD observes that there are 16 political parties fielding candidates for the election. Only two candidates and seven deputy governorship candidates are women, just as the age range of the candidates indicate low participation of the youth.

    The CDD EAC will be closely observing the electoral process with the objective of collecting data to support evidence-based analysis of key aspects of the Ekiti State governorship election. The CDD EAC will also host a fake news hub for the purpose of tracking and countering fake news and misinformation as it affects the election.

    Pre-Election Observations

    Based on the observation of the CDD EAC in the pre-election period, the following are the key trends, which have underlined the process.

    CDD notes that the June 18, 2022 Ekiti State Governorship election is significant because it will serve as the first dress rehearsal as the INEC prepares for the 2023 general elections. The election will also be the first to be conducted under the Electoral Act, 2022, and the new INEC guidelines and regulations for conduct of elections. CDD EAC further notes that although INEC has made commitments to conduct a credible election in Ekiti State, its success in this regard would depend on its neutrality, professionalism and the level of its understanding and commitment to the new legal framework. The credibility of the process would also depend on how well INEC uses some of its new powers as derived from the extant electoral law, especially the power conferred on the Commission to delay the release of election results, if the Commission needs to take a second look.

    The CDD EAC is concerned about violence, money politics and violations of incumbency powers and the possible effects of these on the credibility of the election. CDD EAC notes that Ekiti State, has recorded several incidents of violence during previous elections. In the build up to the 2022 governorship election, pockets of election-related violence have been recorded in places like Ado Ekiti, Efon Alaiye, Oye, Ido/Osi and Oye Ekiti. Other observable issues, which would shape the credibility of the election include; how well INEC is able to effectively deploy technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), impartial security provisioning, the quality of results management, curtailing the role of money, incumbency and god fatherism in the election. Also critical is the need for stakeholders in the election to proactively track, and counter fake news and misinformation. Already, the pre-election period has witnessed the spread of fake news capable of undermining voter confidence and participation in the process. An example is the fake news which trended recently on a purported Appeal Court decision nullifying the primaries of one of the major political parties and, by extension, its candidate.

    In terms of some of the election risk factor, CDD notes that the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU) has crippled the local economy especially in university towns in Ekiti State. This has created a threat in terms of the availability of idle youth being recruited for activities, which could undermine the credibility of the election. By grounding the local economy, the strike has also created the wrong incentives as voters are more likely to see the election as an opportunity for economic survival, thereby exacerbating the risk of vote buying. This becomes even more relevant when it is considered that Ekiti State introduced the issue of “stomach infrastructure” into the Nigerian political lexicon. CDD has also observed that based on history of past violence in elections in the state, the following Local Government Areas, constitute potential flash points in the election; Ado Ekiti, Efon Alaiye, Ido/Osi, and Oye.

    Signed:

    Professor Adele Jinadu

    Chair, CDD EAC

  • FACT CHECK: Does this video show INEC officials rigging elections for APC as Dino Melaye claims?

    FACT CHECK: Does this video show INEC officials rigging elections for APC as Dino Melaye claims?

    Dino Melaye, spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claimed that a viral video shows INEC officials rigging elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo state.

    Melaye stated this in a Tweet posted alongside a video in the late hours of March 18, 2023.

    The video shows three women allegedly caught with already thumb-printed ballot papers during the March 18 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    In the video, some persons could be heard alleging that INEC officials were thumb-printing for APC.

    Dino Melaye’s tweet with the video of the alleged rigging

    Claim: Video shows INEC officials rigging elections for APC?

    Verification

    The CDD Election War Room checked and here is what we found.

    We observed that the thumbprints on the ballot papers shown in the video were made for different parties, including APC and APGA. Based on the video, seven of the ballots were for APC, four for APGA, and two for PDP.

    To confirm the veracity of the video, we reached out to Emmanuel Ben Opara, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Imo state, and he confirmed that the incident actually happened.

    Speaking on the identity of the alleged riggers, he said they could be ad-hoc officials but not full staff of the commission.

    Opara also said he could not confirm the exact Local Government Area in Imo state where the event happened.

    Verdict

    The claim that the video shows INEC officials rigging elections for APC is partly true; While the CDD Election War Room confirmed the incident to be true, the thumbprints on the ballot papers seen in the video were for three parties, with a majority going to the APC.

  • FACT CHECK: Does this video show Labour Party coercing Nigerians to vote Peter Obi?

    FACT CHECK: Does this video show Labour Party coercing Nigerians to vote Peter Obi?

    Festus Keyamo, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress, shared a video alongside claims that it was produced by the Labour Party. The video has been viewed more than 2 million times and has garnered thousands of reactions.

    “This is the political party saying only their figures were accurate but other political parties rigged. It is the barefaced lies and audacity with which they carry on their propaganda that is very befuddling! They will soon discover the difference b/w propaganda & judicial analyses,” he said in a caption for the video.

    Verification

    The CDD Election War Room examined the video and discovered that it is a pre-election drill involving sample ballot papers. Watermarks that read “specimen” were prominently inked on the ballot papers that were being thumb printed.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) frequently provides sample ballots to political parties and other stakeholders. This enables them to educate the electorate on how to vote properly and accurately on election day, as well as how to avoid casting an invalid vote. 

    INEC stated in 2019 through its Director of Voter Education that specimen ballot papers differ from the originals because they lack the security features that the originals have. 

    In the weeks leading up to the election, the Labour Party held a series of voter education events, which were widely shared on social media. 

    Verdict

    The claim that the video shows the Labour Party coercing Nigerians to vote and manipulating votes in the party’s favour is false.

  • FACT CHECK: Is Labour Party candidate Anthony Chinasa-Abiola of Yoruba descent?

    FACT CHECK: Is Labour Party candidate Anthony Chinasa-Abiola of Yoruba descent?

    Several reports making rounds on social media have suggested that Anthony Chinasa-Abiola, the Labour party (LP) candidate for the Abia State House of Assembly, is of Yoruba descent.

    The Labour Party candidate was also said to be a mixed breed; with his mother Igbo and his father Yoruba.

    Chinasa-Abiola, who is vying for the Umuahia Central Constituency of the state house of assembly, has been the subject of numerous debates because of his name ‘Abiola’ which is traced to the Yoruba ethnic group.

    This is also a result of the recent ethnic clashes between the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups, especially in the Lagos guber election.

    Claim: Is Anthony Chinasa-Abiola of the Labour Party a Yoruba man?

    Verification

    In a recent interview with a TVC journalist, the LP candidate explained that both his parents are of Igbo descent. 

    He further noted that the Yoruba name ‘Abiola’ attributed to him was an ‘alias’ that he was fond of.

    Chinasa-Abiola further insisted that he allowed the tag to continue in solidarity with the LP candidate of Lagos state Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

    Verdict

    CDD Election War Room found the claim to be False. We found that Anthony Chinasa-Abiola is not Yoruba as his real name is Anthony Chinasa. He Hails from Ibeku, Abia State with no apparent Yoruba ancestry.

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  • FACT CHECK: Did PDP agents coerce returning officers to manipulate election results in Yauri?

    FACT CHECK: Did PDP agents coerce returning officers to manipulate election results in Yauri?

    A video is making the rounds on social media with the claim that agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) assaulted a returning officer and coerced him to announce election results in favour of the party. 

    The event was said to have happened during the March 18 gubernatorial elections in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi state.

    The video, which is in Hausa language, purportedly shows that the returning officer announced the election as inconclusive. Thereafter, the PDP agents attacked him, tore his clothes, and asked him to re-announce PDP candidate as the winner of the election. 

    The returning officer was seen in another set of clothing, after the alleged assault. The PDP agents also allegedly assaulted an agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) agent present.

    Claim: PDP Agents coerced returning officers to declare results in favour of the party in Yauri.

    Verification

    The CDD Election War Room checked the veracity of the video and found the claim to be true.

    We reached out to Rukayyat Ibrahim, the INEC Public Affairs Officer in Kebbi state, and she confirmed that the incident happened on election day, March 18, 2023.

    Verdict

    The claim is true; CDD Election War Room can confirm that PDP agents assaulted a returning officer at Yauri, asking him to declare their candidate as the winner after the election was declared as inconclusive.

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  • FACT CHECK: No, Wasiu Ayinde did not disrupt March 18 governorship elections in Lagos

    FACT CHECK: No, Wasiu Ayinde did not disrupt March 18 governorship elections in Lagos

    On March 19, 2023, a video went viral on Twitter with the caption “So fuji singer Wasiu Ayinde aka K1 was also among the thugs who came to disrupt Election. Imagine how he brought himself so low.”

    The video and a picture of Wasiu Ayinde were shared in a tweet alleging that the popular Nigerian Fuji artist and a staunch supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was among the thugs that disrupted the Lagos governorship election, beating voters.

    Ayinde, also known as K1 The Ultimate, is indeed a supporter of the All Progressive Congress, and supported Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the March 18 election in the state.

    CLAIM: Was Wasiu Ayinde among the thugs who disrupted the governorship election?

    VERIFICATION

    CDD Election War Room watched the video and discovered that the Fuji singer was not seen in the video posted on Twitter.

    Similarly, Wasiu Ayinde through his spokesperson, Kunle Rasheed, responded to the allegation on his Facebook page, asserting that the allegation is false. He said:

    “It has come to my attention, indeed I have been inundated with calls seeking my reaction to a video making the rounds on social media, where an unfounded allegation is being made against my person by a supposedly aggrieved Labour Party member, particularly stating that ‘I was beating people and I attempted to take polling materials into my residence’.

    “In other words, claiming that I used thugs to disrupt the electoral process in an area. Please disregard such claims as they are the handiwork of mischief makers and wicked individuals. I remain a peaceful and a law-abiding citizen who goes about my lawful business/duties peacefully.

    “It is rather appalling and disheartening that these individuals will make such unsubstantiated claim against my person, indeed, it is rather unconscionable and totally unacceptable. I therefore unequivocally state that I was never involved in such acts and I will never endorse such. Thank you King Wasiu Olasunkanmi Marshall”

    VERDICT: False

    The CDD Election War Room found the claim to be false. We found that Wasiu Ayinde was not among the thugs that came to beat people and disrupted the election in Lagos.

  • FACT CHECK: How true is Ademola Adeleke’s claim that he introduced ‘fact check’ in Nigeria?

    FACT CHECK: How true is Ademola Adeleke’s claim that he introduced ‘fact check’ in Nigeria?

    Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun state, South-West, during a virtual interview with Channels TV last weekend, claimed that he introduced fact-checking in Nigeria. 

    Adeleke made this claim while he was reacting to the latest Appeal Court ruling which upheld his victory at the Osun gubernatorial election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 16, 2022.  

    Adeleke ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to contest against Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was seeking re-election as the governor of the state at the time.

    Oyetola and the APC contested the outcome of the polls at the Osun governorship election tribunal, where Adeleke’s victory was overturned. 

    The case was further taken to the Appeal Court in Abuja, where it was however ruled that Adeleke remained the winner of the July 16 polls as declared by INEC.

    Speaking on the latest development, Adeleke said he was confident about the support of the people of Osun as his administration was already fulfilling the promises made.

    He said, “You are familiar with Osun state. You are a journalist, come down or send your correspondents. Let them do opinion sampling, and fact check. I introduced the fact check everybody is using now, they are not paying me. I introduced fact check, that everything you say, you go and fact-check it.”

    Adeleke, a former senator, had earlier urged Nigerians to fact-check what was being said during a governorship debate involving him and four other leading candidates in the 2022 Osun race.

    He also claimed during the debate, held on July 10, 2022, that he “introduced fact check”.

    Claim: Ademola Adeleke said he introduced ‘fact-check’ in Nigeria.

    Verification 

    CDD Election War Room can confirm that the claim by Adeleke is false.

    Checks revealed that fact-checking already existed in the country even before Adeleke’s first attempt to become the governor of Osun state in 2018. 

    In 2016, Africa’s first independent fact-checking organisation, Africa Check, launched a regional office in Nigeria as part of its goal to improve the quality of information across the continent. 

    Similarly, the Centre for Journalism, Innovation, and Development (CJID), formerly Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), initiated Nigeria’s first indigenous verification and fact-checking platform, Dubawa, in 2018. 

    Following its creation, Dubawa began to train Nigerian journalists on fact-checking and also produced elections-related fact-checks during the 2019 general elections. 

    Also, The Cable ran the first live fact check of a presidential debate in Nigeria. Mayowa Tijani, an award-winning fact checker, led the team in 2018.

    TheCable and Premium Times have fact-checks that date back as early as 2015, 2016 — years before Adeleke got his seat in the Senate.

    Verdict 

    The claim by Ademola Adeleke that he introduced fact-checking in Nigeria, is false; The CDD Election War Room can confirm that fact-checking already existed in the country before Adeleke’s first attempt to contest the governorship seat in Osun state.

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  • FACT CHECK: INEC yet to declare Labour Party’s Alex Otti as governor-elect in Abia

    FACT CHECK: INEC yet to declare Labour Party’s Alex Otti as governor-elect in Abia

    On March 18, 2023, a Twitter user claimed that Alex Otti, The Labour Party gubernatorial candidate for Abia state, has won the election.

    The post was posted alongside this caption, “JUST IN: Alexi Otti wins Abia state Governorship election and is now the Governor-elect of Abia State.” 

    The post has since garnered over 298,000 views and more than 12 thousand likes.

    Claim I: Twitter user claim that Alex Otti, the Labour Party’s Abia state governorship candidate, has been declared the winner.

    Verification

    Voting data available on the result viewing portal (IReV) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows results from 3,406 polling units in the state, out of 4,062, have been uploaded as of Mar 19, 2023, 12:23:30 PM.

    Also, the purported declaration of the candidate as the election winner has not been published by any credible media platform. INEC is the official body in charge of announcing a winner.

    INEC is currently leading the race but is yet to be declared the winner of the polls.

    Verdict

    The claim that Alex Otti has won the Abia guber polls, and has been declared the governor-elect is false. INEC has not officially declared a winner as the collation of results is still ongoing.

    CLAIM II: INEC chairman interferes with Abia state result collation as the returning officer claimed?

    Professor Nnenna Oti, the INEC Presiding Office (P.O) of Abia state, lay claims against Mahmood Yakubu, stating that he personally called her and gave her directives on guidelines to follow in ensuring that Abia governorship election results were collated based on some criteria.

     “I’m Professor Nnenna Oti from Afikpo, I am the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, The people’s mandate shall stand. She also said: “I have spent all my adult life in pursuit of the ideals of good governance. We shall stand by these principles”.

    “The pastor in me (she is a Pastor with the RCCG) and the mother in me will not permit me to do anything that will adversely affect the future of our children. I shall do right by God and by man!” she was quoted to have said.

    On further investigation, CDD Election War Room found out that she called a staff of the commission in Abuja to speak to the Chairman on what to do next given the impasse in Abia.

    She spoke to the Chairman who told her a statement had been issued. She asked for a copy of the statement. It was sent to her and that’s the message that was read.

    In a statement titled “distortion of facts about the Abia State Governorship Election”, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, describe the information as fake and asked Nigerians to disregard it.

    VERDICT

    The claim attributed to the Abia state returning officer is false. Mahmood Yakubu has denied calling Abia Presiding Officer on the collation of results. Multiple credible media organisations like The Punch and The Guardian have also published reports about it.

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  • FACT CHECK: Viral video shows clash in Congo, not election violence Nigeria

    FACT CHECK: Viral video shows clash in Congo, not election violence Nigeria

    A viral video showing a violent clash has been making rounds on social media alongside claims that it shows a violent political crisis from the just concluded governorship elections in Nigeria.

    The video is being shared across multiple WhatsApp groups in Nigeria.

    Verification

    CDD Election War Room broke down the video into key frames and conducted multiple reverse image searches to establish the authenticity of the claim.

    This led us to multiple reports first from a mini-blogging platform Nairaland. The report from the platform claimed that the incident happened at Oshodi in Lagos state in August 2022. 

    The Kenya mojo claimed the incident happened in the Jacaranda Embakasi East of Kenya. The site claims the incident happened on March 20, 2023.

    Other reports suggested that the incident occurred in Lingwala, the Congolese capital, in August 2022.

    According to multiple reports by the Congolese media, the brawl began after a football tournament in the PLZ field of Lingwala.

    A video showing the original incident from Congo

    The tournament was said to have been organized by the Congolese Minister of Youth, Yves Bunkulu.

    Verdict 

    The incident did not happen in Nigeria, but far away in Congo back in August 2022. The video has since circulated periodically in other parts of the African continent.

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  • FACT CHECK: Did INEC declare Adebutu Ogun state governor-elect?

    FACT CHECK: Did INEC declare Adebutu Ogun state governor-elect?

    On March 18, 2023, hours after voting had been concluded, a Twitter user tweeted that Oladipupo Olatunde has just won the Ogun state gubernatorial election.

    “Bye bye to Dapo Abiodun! Baba Ijebu’s Billionaire Son, Oladipupo Olatunde is the governor-elect of Ogun State,” he said. 

    Claim: Is Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu the governor-elect of Ogun State?

    Verification: 

    The CDD Election War Room found that the on March 18, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  declared Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Commission (APC) as the winner of the just-concluded governorship election in Ogun state.

    Dapo Abiodun having scored 276,298 votes was re-elected for a second term. His closest rival, Oladipupo Adebutu scored 262,383 votes.

    Verdict

    The claim that Oladipupo Adebutu is the governor-elect of Ogun state is FALSE. INEC declared Dapo Abiodun as the winner having scored the highest vote of 276,298.

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