A VIRAL post circulating on social media claims that Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye stated that President Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have already rigged the 2027 general elections.
The claim was shared on 31 October 2026, by an X user, @LM_MessiRebirth, featuring footage of Okinbaloye speaking during a broadcast of Politics Today on Channels TV with the caption:
“From the information I have, Tïnubu together with INEC has rigged the 2027 elections. Hold INEC responsible now or never. __ Seun Okinbaloye”
As of 3 November, the post has generated over 235,000 views, 3,000 likes and more than 1,400 retweets.
READ: INEC probes suspected AI photos in preliminary voter register
CLAIM
A viral post claims that Seun Okinbaloye stated that President Tinubu and INEC had rigged the 2027 general elections and should be held responsible.
FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
A review of the broadcast footage from Politics Today on Channels Television on YouTube shows that Okinbaloye did not make the statement attributed to him in the viral post.
During the show, Okinbaloye was speaking with Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, former director at the INEC. Their discussion centred on electoral controversies and the state of Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The discussion followed the circulation of AI-generated images and other details purportedly showing irregularities in INEC’s preliminary register of voters.
On 27 October, the commission assured Nigerians that it was investigating the matter and would address any identified irregularities.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on 1 November, INEC’s Director of ICT, Lawrence Bayode, revealed that some of the commission’s registration officials had abused their official access to create fraudulent voter records, including profiles containing fake photographs and manipulated biometric details.
Meanwhile, during the closing segment of his interview with Uzzi, Okinbaloye delivered a commentary focusing on systemic electoral integrity and safeguards in the voter registration process.
His verbatim words were:
“But this is my parting words tonight, the election is usually not rigged on election day. Don’t get it wrong, and whatever you may be jumping around all the town halls and the political podiums and platforms, the rigging of the election has in fact begun very few months ago and it’s still much in course. If you don’t take action and speak up now, forget it, 2027 is already rigged and this is time to clean it up and make sure it doesn’t happen.”
At no point during the broadcast did Okinbaloye mention Tinubu, any political party, or specific candidates.
READ ALSO: INEC chairman welcoming Tinubu? No, it’s Ibrahim Masari
In a subsequent broadcast of Sunday Politics, Okinbaloye clarified his earlier remarks. He explained that his warning was directed at concerns about the preliminary register of voters and the need for administrative vigilance, rather than an accusation against any individual or political organisation.
VERDICT
The claim that Channels TV presenter Seun Okinbaloye stated Tinubu and INEC have rigged the 2027 election is FALSE. Findings show Okinbaloye was speaking generally about systemic electoral integrity and did not accuse any individual or political party.
Seasoned writer and literary curator, Zainab Abdulrasaq is a factchecker for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached on IG @blackbookishgirl or zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org
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