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Claim that Atiku Abubakar is the owner of Mikano Limited is FALSE

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Claim that Atiku Abubakar is the owner of Mikano Limited is FALSE

MULTIPLE posts circulating on social media claimed that former Nigerian vice president and presidential hopeful on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar is the owner of Mikano International Limited.

Established in 1993, Mikano International Limited is a Nigeria-based company that deals with Power Generation, Steel Fabrication, Electrical Products, and Solutions.

A Twitter user Ade of Akure with the username @CEO_Billion tweeted the claim with a caption:

“Atiku purchase NEPA and turn it to PHCN. Don’t forget he his the CEO of MIKANO Generator. How do you expect this country to move when d person giving u headache is still selling Paracetamol.His business must grow so No way our electricity will be good(sic).”

READ: False claim circulates that Atiku is retiring from politics, congratulates Tinubu

The tweet has garnered more than 2,000 retweets and over 5,000 likes as of the 26th of May, 2022.

Another Twitter user simply identified at Jennifer with the username @jennifa2022, also tweeted the claim with a similar caption: 

“Atiku founder of @AUNigeria, owner of Mikano (we no dey get power again) and so many personal projects this man wants to promote as a president…just for selfish reasons. Why not go home and enjoy the wealth u have piped from us?”

THE CLAIM

Atiku is the owner of Mikano International Limited.

A screenshot of the claim on Twitter.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Available public records show that the founder of Mikano International Limited is Mofid Karameh and not Atiku Abubakar contrary to the viral claim on social media.

A cursory look at the information on his LinkedIn account stated that Karameh is the chairman of the company since 1993 when it was founded.

Several media reports such as this and this also described Karameh as the Chief Executive Officer of the company.

A further search by The FactCheckHub shows that Atiku had earlier in 2017 debunked the claim in a series of tweets via his verified Twitter handle.

ALSO READ: Five false claims made by Atiku in the last two years

“Young friend, this is not true, but you tweet it all the same. I own bigger companies and they’re known publicly, why would I deny this one?” Atiku tweeted while responding to a Twitter user who alleged that the former VP was the owner of the company.

Atiku had described the claim as a rumor and further mentioned the list of companies he owns which include: “1. NICOTES (now Intels) founded in 1989. 2. Prodeco, 1996 2. My farm, 1982. 3. ABTI schools, 1992.”

THE VERDICT

The claim that Atiku Abubakar is the owner of Mikano International Limited is FALSE; as publicly available records show that the founder of the company is Mofid Karameh.

YouTube CEO reinforces commitment to curbing misinformation

Raji Olatunji
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YouTube CEO reinforces commitment to curbing misinformation

THE Chief Executive Officer of YouTube, Susan Wojcicki, has restated the commitment of the video-streaming site to curbing misinformation and promoting free speech on its platform.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Wojcicki said that misinformation remains a challenge for the video-streaming company.

She added that it is difficult for YouTube to moderate content during global crises while speaking on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the US abortion saga, among others.

READ: YouTube unveil plans to tackle misinformation ahead of India’s 2024 general elections

Commenting on reports criticising some of the contents featured on the platform, she said, “There will always be incentives for people to be creating misinformation. The challenge will be to keep staying ahead of that and making sure that we are understanding what they are.”

She said with the policies aimed at reducing the spread of misinformation, the company’s latest research revealed that YouTube was missing only about 10 to 12 content-violating videos per 100,000 views of videos on the platform.

Wojcicki further noted that the company can always improve its work to combat misinformation.

“Running a company that has really focused on free speech, we want to make sure that we’re enabling a broad set of opinions that everyone has a right to express their point of view, provided they meet our community guidelines,” she said while reiterating the platform’s commitment to free speech.

As a means to disallow content that promoted the denial or trivialization of the Russia-Ukraine war, the video site had, earlier this year, blocked channels connected to Russian state-backed outlets across Europe.

ALSO READ: YouTube profits from Ads on channels promoting climate misinformation -Report

“The average citizen in Russia can access, for free, the same information that you can access here from Davos,” Wojcicki said.

She noted that YouTube will continue to operate in Russia to provide independent news.

Twitter to flag tweets that contain misinformation during crisis

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Twitter to flag tweets that contain misinformation during crisis

TWITTER has announced a new policy for dealing with misinformation during a period of crisis.

As part of the new policy, it has also established new standards for gatekeeping or blocking the promotion of certain tweets capable of spreading misinformation.

This was disclosed by Twitter’s head of safety and integrity, Yoel Ruth, in a blog post explaining the new policy.

READ: EXPLAINER: Twitter checkmarks and what they symbolise

Under the new policy, Twitter will add warning labels to debunk false claims about crises and users will not be able to like, forward, or respond to the posts that violate the new rules.

Tweets with content that violate the crisis misinformation policy will be placed behind a warning notice that looks like this:

Image of crisis misinformation warning notice.

Some of the tweets that could end up with a warning notice include those that falsely report on events, include false allegations involving weapons or use of force, or spread broader misinformation regarding atrocities or international responses.

Twitter said it will require verification from multiple credible and publicly available sources to determine what is misinformation and what is not.

“Content moderation is more than just leaving up or taking down content, and we’ve expanded the range of actions we may take to ensure they’re proportionate to the severity of the potential harm.

ALSO READ: ‘Blue Check’ verified accounts are flooding Twitter with misinformation -Report

“We’ve found that not amplifying or recommending certain content, adding context through labels, and in severe cases, disabling engagement with the Tweets, are effective ways to mitigate harm, while still preserving speech and records of critical global events,” the statement read. 

The platform said it would start with tweets and information concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but it will expand it to include situations of armed conflict, health emergencies, and large-scale natural disasters.

Facebook silent as anti-abortion disinformation in Spanish language spreads, study reveals

Niyi Oyedeji
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Facebook silent as anti-abortion disinformation in Spanish language spreads, study reveals

A new study by Naral Pro-Choice America’s research team has revealed how some Facebook pages are spreading disinformation in Spanish language about abortion to millions of users on the platform.

The study revealed that the social media platform is making little or no effort to stop the Facebook pages with millions of followers from spreading disinformation about the topic.

In its efforts to show how disinformation is disseminated by opponents of abortion, the abortion rights research team examined nine Facebook pages with more than 2.79 million users for the study.

READ: YouTube to remove videos with abortion misinformation

The study accused the platform of censoring fact-checks by medical experts to curb the spread of disinformation on the subject-matter.

“Facebook has also allowed anti-choice groups to advertise their stigmatizing and medically unproven claims that medication abortion can be reversed,” it stated.

It added that Facebook is not alone among tech companies in refusing to remove disinformation about abortion care but said its failure to do so has direct implications for the 72% of Latin people in the United States who use its platform.

“Such disinformation directly aids the anti-choice movement in its efforts to stigmatize abortion, coerce pregnant people who deserve the freedom to make the decisions that are best for their families and lives, and pass draconian bans and restrictions on abortion,” it noted.

The study added that many of the Facebook pages it examined spread disinformation about the safety of abortion, claiming that it leads to an increased risk of breast cancer, anxiety, infertility, depression, and suicide. “Some posts have been viewed thousands of times without intervention from Facebook.”

The researcher, however, urged Facebook to recognise that disinformation about abortion is medical disinformation with real-world harms and to take steps in curbing it.

ALSO READ: Panellists at fact-checkers conference task Facebook, Twitter to halt fake news

“Take steps to limit the spread of falsehoods about abortion in English, Spanish, and other languages by proactively removing content promoting disinformation or (at minimum) fact-checking and labeling such content to provide additional context,” it said.

How Banky W show at Lagos PDP primaries sparks misinformation online

Niyi Oyedeji
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How Banky W show at Lagos PDP primaries sparks misinformation online

THE political ambition of a Nigerian musician turned politician, Olubankole Wellington, popularly called Banky W has sparked misinformation online.

Banky W, a House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Eti-Osa federal constituency, Lagos was alleged to have lost out at the party’s primaries held at the weekend.

A Twitter user, Dare ChukwuEmeka Umar, with the username @MadeInIlly had on Monday, May 23, 2022 tweeted that Banky W losing out in the primary election is a bad sign for democracy.

A Twitter user’s post spreads the fake news on Monday.

Another Twitter user, Hamzat with the username @Hashegun01 also tweeted castigating those mocking him.

How disinformation actors fuelled violence, voter apathy in Imo governorship election

“We are saying more youths should contest for political posts, Banky W trying to be involved and you are laughing at him for losing the primary election. What is funny ????,” his tweet read.

The screenshot of a Twitter user’s reaction to the claim.

As of 3 p.m. on Monday, Banky W was the number one trend on Twitter in Nigeria, with many people claiming that he had lost out of the primaries.

The screenshot of the Twitter Trends on Monday, May 23, 2022.

Some Nigerian blogs also reported the news, claiming Banky W indeed lost out at the primary election.

For instance, Daily Nigeria, while reporting the news claimed that Banky W faced backlash after losing the primary election.

READ: Charly Boy shares fake chart about Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election result

“A popular music artist, Mr Olubankole Wellington, popularly known as BankyW, has faced backlash after losing his bid to contest for the House of Representatives seat to represent Eti Osa in Lagos State,” the news read in part.

The screenshot of the Daily Nigerian news report.

Another online blog, OlisaTV, also claimed that Nigerians defend Banky W after he lost out at the primaries.

The screenshot of the Olisa TV news report.

Did Banky W lose at the primaries?

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE as Banky W did not lose in the primary election.

According to several media reports, here, here, and here, Banky W won the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest for Eti-Osa federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives 2023 election.

Banky W had 28 votes to defeat his closest opponent who had three votes in the primaries held on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

“On Monday, Nigerian singer turned politician Bankole Wellington, popularly called Banky W, won the PDP primaries ticket to represent the party as the House of Representatives candidate in the upcoming 2023 elections.

“Banky W is contesting for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat and had earlier said he would patiently wait for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election.

ALSO READ: Off-cycle election: Does INEC’s iReV show an over-voting of 174,183 votes in Adavi, Okehi and Okene LGAs of Kogi state?

“The music star won twenty-eight votes while his closest opponent scored three votes,” Premium Times report.

Banky W’s political trajectory

On November 10, 2018, Olubankole Wellington made his entry into the Nigerian political space and announced his intent to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.

He made the declaration to contest on the platform of the Modern Democratic Party, (MDP), a political party founded in 2017.

Wellington’s declaration speech was tagged, “Play Your Part,” with Hope 19 as his slogan.

On 23 February 2019, Wellington lost the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency Elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In April 2022, Wellington joined the PDP to contest the House of Reps election again.

On May 23, 2022, he emerged as the PDP flagbearer for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in the coming 2023 elections.

Claim that Sokoto govt approves death penalty law for blasphemy is FALSE

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Claim that Sokoto govt approves death penalty law for blasphemy is FALSE

MULTIPLE posts circulating on social media claimed that the Sokoto State Government has enacted a law, approving the death penalty as punishment for the offence of blasphemy committed in the state.

The claims circulated online following the civil unrest in Sokoto state over the killing of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in the state.

Miss Samuel was reportedly stoned and burnt to death by an angry mob on Thursday, May 12, 2022 over alleged blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW).

READ: TVC news report that Deborah Samuel’s killing in Sokoto is connected with ASUU strike is FALSE

A Facebook user, Abdulrahman. T. Yahaya posted the claim with a caption:

“Sokoto state government as finally sign into Law death penalty for blasphemy. Be guided.”

The post has generated more than 400 likes, 120 comments and 3 shares on Facebook as of May 18, 2022.

Similarly, a Twitter user, My Deen My Swag, with the username @AM_Saleeem tweeted the claim with the caption:

“Sokoto State Govt has finally signed into law ‘Death penalty for blasphemy.’ Alhamdulillah!

“Sokoto State Govt made a wisest decision by signing death penalty for blasphemy into law. And i pray it stops the rate at which people solve matters with their own hands. I call on all state governments to do the same and make sure it’s well implemented,” he added.

The post has generated more than 700 retweets on Twitter as of May 20, 2022.

CLAIM

Sokoto State Government has signed into law the death penalty for blasphemy.

The screenshot of the Facebook post.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

First, none of the social media users who posted the claim stated their source(s). A simple keyword search by The FactCheckHub gave no result of any official announcement from the Sokoto state government or revealed any credible media outfit that reported the new death penalty law.

ALSO READ: Video does NOT show Muslims attacking Christian homes in Sokoto

To verify the claim, The FactCheckHub contacted Muhammad Bello, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor of Sokoto state who clarified that the viral claim is not true.

“I am not aware of that. There is nothing like that. If there is anything like that, I should be aware of it,” he said.

The Clerk to the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Bello Ahmad, also told The FactCheckHub that the state government has not passed such a law.

“It has not come to our table. People saying it should be able to tell you when it came. I am just reaching my office now and there is nothing like that. There has to be a legislative process to any law that is going to be passed,” he said.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the Sokoto State government enacted a law, approving the death penalty as punishment for the offence of blasphemy is FALSE; state officials have confirmed.

TVC news report that Deborah Samuel’s killing in Sokoto is connected with ASUU strike is FALSE

Niyi Oyedeji
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TVC news report that Deborah Samuel’s killing in Sokoto is connected with ASUU strike is FALSE

A NIGERIAN broadcast media, Television Continental (TVC), in a viral news video claimed that the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria has led to the killing of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto state.

The visual news report released by the TVC, which circulated on social media space in Nigeria, particularly on Twitter, and archived here and here, claimed that the students who were embittered by the ASUU strike went on a rampage, thereby leading to the death of the female student.

“The discontent of Nigerian students over the lingering ASUU strike is rising to new heights. In Sokoto, one student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education was killed as many embittered students protested what they called a hold on their lives. No official statement has been released by school authorities but the school has been shut down indefinitely to curtail escalation of the crisis as the school authority beefed up security personnel on the campus,” the transcription of the video read.

READ: Claim that Sokoto govt approves death penalty law for blasphemy is FALSE

CLAIM

ASUU strike led to the death of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto state.

A screenshot of the tweeted video news report.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

According to several media reports here, here, and here, the lady, identified as Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto state was stoned and burnt to death by some youths for alleged blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam, Muhammed (SAW).

Although ASUU has been on strike for over 80 days, the strike action, which affected only students of Nigerian universities, is unconnected with the death of Deborah Samuel that occurred on May 12, 2022.

Similarly, TVC has reacted to the video where the claim was made.

The assignment editor at TVC News, Asuquo James, while speaking on the Journalist Hangout programme on the television, stated that it was a mix-up from the producer.

He also admitted that Deborah’s killing has nothing to do with the ASUU strike.

ALSO READ: Video does NOT show Muslims attacking Christian homes in Sokoto

“What happened was that one of the producers thought it was one of those ASUU protests that were taking place in several states of the country,” he noted.

James said that the television station was not in any way trying to downplay or mislead the public, adding that the station has done follow-up reports on the Sokoto incident.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the ASUU strike led to the death of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto state is FALSE; several media reports show that she was mobbed and murdered over alleged blasphemous remarks.

Video does NOT show Muslims attacking Christian homes in Sokoto

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Video does NOT show Muslims attacking Christian homes in Sokoto

A VIRAL video showing a woman being dragged out from the gate of an apartment and flogged by some men has surfaced on social media alongside a claim that it shows Muslims attacking homes of Christians in Sokoto state.

The video became viral following protests in the Nigerian North-Western state against the arrest of suspected murderers of Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

Miss Samuel was killed by an irate mob over alleged blasphemy last Thursday in the state. This led to the arrest of some suspects who took part in the killing.

READ: TVC news report that Deborah Samuel’s killing in Sokoto is connected with ASUU strike is FALSE

A Twitter user, Dee Juggernaut, with the username @Chinudulom tweeted the video with a caption: 

“BREAKING: They’ve started invading homes and attacking Christians in Sokoto not only churches. This is evil.” 

(His tweet was however removed for violating Twitter Rules).

Another Twitter user, Chekwube Nwufo, with the username: @nchecks2005 tweeted the video with a caption: 

“Disturbing video of Christian woman dragged out by Sokoto Muslims hitting and torturing her. This is heartbreaking.”

The video was also tweeted with similar captions by several Facebook and Twitter users such as this.

CLAIM

The video shows Muslims attacking Christian homes in Sokoto.

Screenshot of the video posted by a Twitter user.

THE FINDINGS

When The FactCheckHub subjected the keyframes in the video to Google Reverse Image Search, the result shows that the video has been online since 2021. 

Findings show that the video was shared last year with a narration suggesting that of a woman-kidnapper caught and beaten in Kaduna.

In an old version of the video published by a YouTube page, El-Najeeb Production, on the 26th of September 2021, a narrator who spoke in Hausa language in the video claimed that the video shows a woman who engaged in child abduction and trafficking in Kaduna state and was caught by people in the community. 

The narrator said three children were found in her apartment when the residents ransacked her house.

ALSO READ: Claim that Sokoto govt approves death penalty law for blasphemy is FALSE

A Facebook user, Kamaldeen Abdullahi had earlier posted the video on August 28, 2021, with the same narration.

A resident of the community who identified himself as Nasir told The FactCheckHub that the incident happened in Sabon Garin Palladan in Zaria, Kaduna state.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Muslims attacking Christian homes in Sokoto state is FALSE; findings show that the video emanated from an incident that happened in Kaduna state and is not recent.

Deborah Samuel: Viral image of clergyman holding rifle has been online since 2017

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Deborah Samuel: Viral image of clergyman holding rifle has been online since 2017

A VIRAL image showing a clergyman dressed in a purple-and-white cassock with a rifle cradled in his arms has surfaced online with a claim that it shows a Christian priest armed reportedly in self-defense in Sokoto state.

The image is circulating online following the civil unrest in Sokoto state over the killing of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in the state.

Miss Samuel was stoned and burnt to death by an angry mob on Thursday, May 12, 2022 within the school premises over alleged blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW).

READ: TVC news report that Deborah Samuel’s killing in Sokoto is connected with ASUU strike is FALSE

A Facebook page, Bliss Naija posted the image with a caption:

“SHOCKER: Rev Father Goes to Church With AK 47 to Defend Himself Against Islamists Protesters in Sokoto. 

“He wrote: ‘Today I came to church with this to defend myself against Sokoto state Islamists fanatics youths.'”

The post has generated more than 200 comments, 190 likes with over 300 shares as of 12PM on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

Similarly, another Facebook user with the name, Chioma Ibekwe Loret, also posted the picture with a caption: 

“A Rev father goes to church with AK 47 to defend himself against islamists protesters in Sokoto….. what is ur partake in dis, is it right?? ”

The claim also surfaced here and here online.

CLAIM

The image shows a Reverend Father armed with a gun for self-defense in Sokoto.

Screenshot of the viral Facebook post showing a clergyman armed with a rifle.

THE FINDINGS

A Google Reverse Image Search on the image shows that the photo has been online since January 2017, The Punch newspaper reported.

According to media reports, the picture was posted online by one Facebook user identified as Achike Onwuazo.

In the post, Onwuazo claimed that the unidentified Reverend Father armed himself with a rifle to protect himself and his church against terrorists’ and herders’ attacks.

Some media reports such as this reported that the clergyman was from a volatile part of Northern Nigeria while others suggested that the clergyman was an Anambra-based Catholic priest.

ALSO READ: Claim that Sokoto govt approves death penalty law for blasphemy is FALSE

It will be recalled that the image also went viral in August 2017 following the Ozubulu killings in Anambra state.

However, using available public records, The FactCheckHub can confirm that the viral image has nothing to do with the Sokoto incident of last week.

THE VERDICT

The viral image of the clergyman posing with a gun in a church has been online since January 2017 and has nothing to do with the Sokoto incident of last week; thus making the claim FALSE.

No! Dutch national, Wiebe Boer did not declare for Plateau governorship race

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
No! Dutch national, Wiebe Boer did not declare for Plateau governorship race

THE POSTER of a Dutch national, Wiebe Boer, locally called Yohanna Maigona has surfaced online with a claim that he has declared his intention to contest the 2023 governorship election in Plateau State.

A Facebook page with the name Emeka Gift Official published the poster with a caption that reads:

“2023: Dutch Nigerian Declares Interest to Run for Plateau State Governorship.
“His real name is Wiebe Boer, he’s a Dutchman. Yohanna Maigona is his Hausa name. He was born in Jos and finished his secondary school in the city. He reportedly began speaking Hausa Language even before English.”

READ: Online misinformation trails Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi governorship polls

The poster was also published by some Facebook users as seen here and here with similar captions. It was also posted on Twitter by some users as seen here and here. 

Several Nigerian news blogs including SaharaReporters, Platform Times, Roots TV and PM News also reported his purported declaration to contest the gubernatorial race.

CLAIM

Dutch National born in Nigeria Wiebe Boer declares his intention to contest for Plateau governorship.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the image of the man in the poster is that of Wiebe Boer, Chief Executive Officer of All On, an off-grid energy investment company in Nigeria.

Boer was born and brought up in Jos, North Central Nigeria to Dutch missionary parents, reports say. His father and mother came to Taraba State, Nigeria, in 1966 as missionaries to spread the gospel and engage with the Nigerian church and leadership. He also authored a book: “A Story of Heroes and Epics: The History of Football in Nigeria.”

However, checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim indicating that he has joined the Plateau governorship race is FALSE.

When contacted, most social media handles spreading ‘the news’ could not provide any source to where he made the declaration.

A keyword search on the internet also gave no result of where he made the declaration.

In a statement posted on his LinkedIn account on Monday, May 9, 2022, Boer debunked the viral news that he has joined the Plateau state governorship race.

ALSO READ: How disinformation actors fuelled violence, voter apathy in Imo governorship election

“It has come to my attention that posters implying that I am running for Governor of Plateau State under the name of Yohanna Maigona have gone viral.  I am categorically stating that I have no intention of running for political office in Nigeria, and I am not eligible to do so.

“The only truth to the insinuation is that I was born in Jos and raised in Taraba and Plateau States to Dutch missionary parents and have spent the last 12 years living in Lagos and serving Nigeria and Nigerians in various capacities. I have always been a staunch believer in the potential of Nigeria and will continue to support the country’s development from the sidelines,” he wrote.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Wiebe Boer a.k.a. Yohanna Maigona has declared to contest in Plateau state governorship election is FALSE.

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