Home Blog Page 123

Fact-checking Kperogi’s claim that Osinbajo pursues agenda to fill Buhari-led govt with RCCG pastors

Ajibola Amzat
-
0
Fact-checking Kperogi’s claim that Osinbajo pursues agenda to fill Buhari-led govt with RCCG pastors

PROFESSOR of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University Farooq Kperogi has again come under fire for claiming that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo uses his Office to facilitate job appointments for members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) where he is a pastor.

Kperogi wrote on Monday that the VP sees his position in government as “an opportunity to promote the supremacy of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)” which he has characterized as Osinbajo’s RCCGification project.

The article titled “Two Major Lies in Osinbajo’s Declaration Speech” has been the latest sensation on social media.

At the last count, the post has garnered over 5,000 likes on Facebook and was shared more than 1,500 times as of Wednesday, 13th of April, 2022.

READ: Beware! Viral Yemi Osinbajo Support Fund post in circulation is FALSE

On Twitter, Kperogi’s followers have locked horns, defending or criticizing the 760-word article.

But is his claim about Osinbajo facilitating the appointment of RCCG members in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government TRUE or FALSE?

Relying on public records, The ICIR profiles some of the government appointees whose recruitment Osinbajo allegedly facilitated.

The first on the list was the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment between 2015 and 2019, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah.

Former Trade Minister Okechukwu Enelamah
Former Trade Minister Okechukwu Enelamah.

Dr. Enelamah indeed was the pastor of RCCG Olive Tree parish at Banana Island Ikoyi Lagos. He was commissioned in May 2015, a few months before he was announced as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He succeeded Pastor Osinbajo who then was transferred from RCCG Jesus Centre parish to Olive Tree in October 2009.

But at the time of his appointment, he was also the head of African Capital Alliance (ACA), Nigeria’s biggest private equity firm. The company raised over $750 million in managed funds since its inception in 1997.

A graduate of Harvard Business School, Dr. Enelamah was Investment Partner at Zephyr Management, a global investment management firm headquartered in New York, United States after a stint at Goldman Sachs.

Another prominent hire allegedly facilitated by the VP Osinbajo is the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

Long before he returned to Nigeria to serve in the Office of the Vice President, the former reporter at The Guardian was also the pastor of RCCG Jesus Friends Assembly, Bayshore, New York, USA.

According to the information on the church’s website, Akande started the parish on May 13, 2007, then located in Brentwood.

In 2015, he was appointed as the spokesperson for the vice president.

Laolu Akande, spokesperson to the Vice President Osinbajo
Laolu Akande, spokesperson to the Vice President Osinbajo.

Kperogi wrote that Akande abandoned his church to take up the government job in Nigeria. “I’ve learned that Akande’s parish in New York has now closed,” he wrote.

The ICIR’s finding shows that the church is still operating.  In fact, the Church Resurrection Celebration service is slated for Sunday, April 17 at its current address 150 Motorparkway, Suite 304 Hauppauge, NY.

The third nominee of the VP on Kperogi’s list is the former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler.

Former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler
Former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler.

The ICIR confirmed that the taxman is also a pastor of the RCCG.

He is currently the assistant pastor in charge of Administrative Business for the Rose of Sharon parish, GRA Ikeja Lagos.  He and Pastor Bolanle Soremekun who is in charge of the church’s Corporate Social Responsibility deputise for the senior Pastor Emeka Obiagwu who has been overseeing the church since 2010.

Then, there is the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Ayoola Okoh whom The ICIR confirmed also to be a pastor.

Okoh is a pastor at RCCG Olive Tree Parish. In fact, he was the immediate successor of Enelamah at Olive Tree parish where Osinbajo also pastored earlier.  He became pastor at the church after Enelamah was appointed as Trade Minister.

In 2017, he got his own appointment as the overall boss at BPE.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Ayoola Okoh
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Ayoola Okoh.

However, Okoh also was the Managing Partner, Ashford & McGuire Consulting Ltd., a leading consulting firm that offers Financial Advisory services.

He was the Managing Director/CEO of NNB International Bank from January 2001 to December 2005 and was regarded as the one that repositioned the bank as a leading commercial bank and led the merger between the bank and eight others to form the Unity Bank.

Also on the list shared by Professor Kperogi is Pastor Olukayode Pitan, the pioneer pastor of Olive Tree parish. The parish was established in 1995 by Pastor Alfred Olufemiyimi and his wife, Abby.

Pitan was later transferred to Lagos Province 35 parish and Tabernacle of David parish, Ajah Lagos and he was succeeded by Osinbajo at Olive Tree.

In 2017, while acting as president, Osinbajo approved the appointment of Pitan as the managing director of the Bank of Industry (BOI). Buhari, however, renewed Pitan’s appointment last month for good performance.

Under his watch, BOI has promoted financial inclusion by supporting the expansion of over three million enterprises, thereby creating over seven million jobs, a statement from the presidency has noted.

Before his appointment, he was also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Interstate Bank Plc. He served as Executive Director of Unity Bank Plc in charge of Corporate Banking and Treasury Management.

MD/CEO Bank of Industry Olukayode Pitan
MD/CEO Bank of Industry, Olukayode Pitan.

Though Kperogi did not mention Ben Akabueze, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation as one of the beneficiaries of Osinbajo’s RCCGification project, other critics of the VP have listed him as one of those who got the job because of his RCCG membership.

Akabueze was first appointed as a Special Adviser Planning to the President in 2016 and later was appointed as Director-General of the Budget Office by President Buhari. Curiously, he was also an RCCG pastor.

Director-General of the Budget Office Ben Akabueze
Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze.

He was the Pastor-in-charge of Lagos Province 39 of the RCCG with headquarters at The King’s Court Parish in Victoria Island, Lagos untill his appointment with the Federal Government six years ago.

There was also Edobor Iyamu, the former Senior Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs in the Office of the Vice President. He was among the 35 aides of the vice president that was allegedly fired by Buhari in 2019.

Iyamu is the Pastor in Charge of Jesus Family Parish of the RCCG since 2008 to date. The church is located at No 20, Sumbo Jibowu Street, Off Ribadu Road, S.W. Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

Edobor Iyamu, the former Senior Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs
Edobor Iyamu, the former Senior Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.

An expert in Investment and Commercial Law, Iyamu is the Managing Partner at Lawfield (Barristers & Solicitors).

According to his LinkedIn profile, he holds MSc in Maritime Law from the University of London Queen Mary College and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), formerly Bendel State University, Ekpoma.

The ICIR yesterday sent questions to Arukaino Umukoro, the Special Assistant on Communication Projects, at the Presidency via Facebook. He is yet to respond even though he was active 1 hour ago before the time of publishing this report.

He has however debunked the claim that Osinbajo nominated ministers, in a response to an article published in the media.

“The President appoints his Ministers,” he stated.

ALSO READ: How true is Reno Omokri’s claim that Osinbajo has been silent on critical issues?

His defence notwithstanding, evidence has shown that several pastors of RCCG have found their way to the Buhari government even though they are men with an outstanding record of achievement. But is it a coincidence that seven RCCG pastors got key positions in the Buhari government? Does the vice president have agenda to fill the government offices with RCCG pastors as Kperogi claimed?

The ICIR contacted Laolu Akande for comment, “No I won’t dignify nonsense,” he responded.

Meanwhile, a source in the presidency told The ICIR that Enelamah and Pitan were actually nominated and brought in by the former Chief of Staff to the president, late Abba Kyari who had known the two men as bankers in Lagos when Kyari was also at UBA.

The source, however, confirmed that VP Osinbajo nominated Okoh. The source also dismissed the role allegedly played by the VP in the selection of Soun of Ogbomosho and Akirun of Ikirun?

“He is not an appointing authority, so could not play a role,” the source said.

Meanwhile, a video obtained from the office of the vice president showed that 17 staff at the Office of the Vice President are Muslims. Four of them are from the South, and 13 are from the North.

Drone footage of ‘bandits’ posted by Joe Igbokwe is from Kenya not Nigeria

Niyi Oyedeji
-
0
Drone footage of ‘bandits’ posted by Joe Igbokwe is from Kenya not Nigeria

FOLLOWING recent bandits’ attacks in Nigeria, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, has posted a video with a claim that it is drone footage of armed bandits who have been kidnapping Nigerians.

Igbokwe, who doubles as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), took to his Facebook page on Monday, April 4, 2022, to share the 139 seconds video, with a caption alluding that the video shows the bandits terrorizing Nigeria in their hideout.

“🎥This is drone footage of armed bandits who have been kidnapping Nigerians. The footage shows them in their hideout in an unknown forest. They appear not to know they are being captured by a drone,” his post read.

READ: Claim that bandits were chasing police officers in Kaduna is MISLEADING!

The post has garnered over 1,400 shares while the video has gotten over 3,700 views as of Sunday, April 10, 2022.

The video was also shared by a Twitter user with the handle @Gen_Buhar alongside a claim that the video was that of Nigerian Army using drone to detect the hideout of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) allegedly terrorizing Nigeria’s South Eastern region.

The ESN is the paramilitary organization of the IPOB, a pro-Biafra separatist movement in Nigeria.

“Nigeria Army use drone to detect IPOB/ESN terrorists den in SE ….,” his tweet read.

CLAIM

Video shows drone footage of armed bandits who have been kidnapping Nigerians.

The screenshot of Joe Igbokwe's Facebook post.
The screenshot of Joe Igbokwe’s Facebook post.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Although the video has no sound, a Google reverse image search on different frames of the video, however, revealed that the video emanated from Kenya.

A Kenyan newspaper, The Daily Post, had on Monday, April 4, 2022, published the video while reporting that it was drone footage of bandits hiding a large number of stolen livestock in the bush along the Samburu- Baringo border in Kenya.

“Security Surveillance Drone captured armed bandits in the bush hiding a large number of stolen livestock along the Samburu – Baringo border,” the news read in part.

ALSO READ: Old video of supporters of politician circulates online as bandits invade Kaduna airport

The video was also published and reported by TUKO, a popular news platform in Kenya.

“A General Service Unit drone has captured armed cattle rustlers hiding in a thicket in Pokot with stolen livestock,” TUKO reported.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows drone footage of armed bandits who have been kidnapping Nigerians is FALSE; checks revealed that the video is that of a drone that captured armed cattle rustlers hiding in a bush in Kenya.

IFCN, Meta offer grants to help fact-checkers fight misinformation on WhatsApp

Omolola Roseline Pedro
-
0
IFCN, Meta offer grants to help fact-checkers fight misinformation on WhatsApp

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has revealed plans to assist fact-checkers globally to tackle misinformation on WhatsApp, the world’s largest messaging app, through grant support.

According to Poynter Institute’s IFCN, the support, in partnership with Meta, tagged “Spread the Facts Grant Program” will enable fact-checkers “to launch, innovate and scale fact-checking solutions” on a global level.

READ: IFCN announces application for ENGAGE phase of the Google’s Global Fact Check Fund

“More than 2 billion people around the world rely on WhatsApp to connect with friends and family, stay updated on world events and share information,” said Ferdi Özsoy, programme manager at the IFCN.

“With support from WhatsApp, the Spread the Facts Grant Program will give verified fact-checking organizations resources to deescalate the harm of viral misinformation and improve the quality of public debate,” he added.

He further noted that all aspirants must be signatories to the IFCN’s code of principles, and must be able to prove how their fact-checking skill has contributed to tackling misinformation on WhatsApp or will contribute to tackling misinformation and peddling of fake news on WhatsApp.

ALSO READ: IFCN awards $1million to 20 fact-checking organizations to expand operations

“Grantees will have the opportunity to share their work with the global fact-checking community in 2023 at Global Fact 10, the IFCN’s premier fact-checking summit that unites creators, consumers and champions of fact-based reporting from more than 60 different countries,” he said.

Ukraine crisis: How Yandex suppresses information for Russian internet users — Report

Nurudeen Akewushola
-
0
Ukraine crisis: How Yandex suppresses information for Russian internet users — Report

A report by the Digital Forensics Research Lab (DFRLab) has accused Yandex of succumbing to Russia’s domestic regulations by suppressing Ukraine war information for its users in Russia.

The report noted that the search engine has promoted state media and narratives in its search results, de-ranked and removed contents critical of the Russian government on its platform.

Yandex is the most popular search engine in Russia.

READ: How war in Ukraine breeds propaganda and disinformation ― Report

“To operate as widely as it does in Russia, Yandex complies with these domestic regulations, impacting its approach to content moderation and use of algorithmic ranking. Yandex dropped unofficial sources, such as blogs and foreign media, from its aggregator and began to prioritize state-approved outlets. In other words, the law has created a chilling effect.

“Yandex consistently showed higher rankings of common Russian disinformation narratives, de-ranking of content and media indicating opposition to the war, and a complete lack of access to sites labelled as “restricted” by the Kremlin,” parts of the report read.

It further noted that global technology firms have grappled with how to mitigate disinformation and respond to requests from the Russian government to censor information on their platforms since the onset of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

ALSO READ: TikTok feeds users with disinformation about Russia-Ukraine war -Report

It explained that long before the current war, the Russian government put in place a series of laws giving state censors, the legal mandate and technical capacity to curtail online information and discourse which enables the Vladimir Putin-led government to dictate which content is allowed on news websites.

The report added that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the crackdown on freedom of expression in the country has accelerated with several legislations meant to halt critical coverage of the war, punish journalists and citizens speaking against it, and further insulate the Russian populace from accurate information.

TikTok feeds users with disinformation about Russia-Ukraine war – Report

Niyi Oyedeji
-
0
TikTok feeds users with disinformation about Russia-Ukraine war – Report

TIKTOK is feeding misinformation and disinformation content to its over 1 billion users about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, a report released by NewsGuard Misinformation Monitor says.

According to NewsGuard – a media-tech firm that rates the credibility of news and information websites, misleading information about the war in Ukraine reaches users a few minutes after signing up on the app.

 “TikTok is feeding false and misleading content about the war in Ukraine to users within 40 minutes of their signing up to the app, regardless of whether they run any searches on the platform,” NewsGuard revealed.

READ: How war in Ukraine breeds propaganda and disinformation ― Report

The investigation, which was launched in March 2022, had a team of six analysts who created new accounts on TikTok and would later discover that the top 20 results for searches on “Ukraine, “Russia, “War,” “Kyiv,” and “Donbas” all had videos that contained misinformation and inaccurate claims.

The analysts arrived at this conclusion having run experiments on the TikTok app’s personalized “For You” feed for 45 minutes, watching videos relating to the Russia-Ukraine war in full without initiating any searches about the conflict.

According to the report, a French-speaking analyst saw a video of a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming that “Today’s neo-Nazis have taken power in Ukraine”.

However, the video, which had generated more than 1.7 million views and shared more than 15,000 times, has previously been identified as a Kremlin propaganda video.

“Within 36 minutes, the same analyst was shown a video, published on March 5, of a man claiming that “all the images of this pseudo-war are fake. There are no images coming out of Ukraine, even Russian Spentsnaz soldiers aren’t allowed to have smartphones to film anything-so all the images you see in the media are fake.” 

“Toward the end of the 45–minute experiment, analysts’ feeds were almost exclusively populated with both accurate and false content related to the war in Ukraine — with no distinction made between disinformation and reliable sources.

READ: Ukraine crisis: How Yandex suppresses information for Russian internet users — Report

“At a time when false narratives about the Russia-Ukraine conflict are proliferating online, none of the videos fed to our analysts by TikTok’s algorithm contained any information about the trustworthiness of the source, warnings, fact-checks, or additional information that could empower users with reliable information.

“In addition to the clear disinformation in TikTok’s search results, the platform also suggested reliable sources to NewsGuard’s analysts, including Sky News and The Telegraph.

“While reliable sources tend to be “verified” on TikTok with a blue tick, their content still appears alongside other videos carrying Kremlin propaganda claims in the platforms’ search results, with no other distinction made between the two. In particular, TikTok does not include information about the trustworthiness of news sources on its platform,” it noted.

Google sets to invest $10 million to fight misinformation

Nurudeen Akewushola
-
0
Google sets to invest $10 million to fight misinformation

GOOGLE has announced plans to  roll out new features that enhance access to trusted information as well as invest $10 million to address the spread of misinformation, especially about the realities and facts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Chief Executive Officer of Google and Alphabet Inc., Sundar Pichai made this announcement during a visit to civil societies supporting refugees as well as Ukrainian startups in Warsaw, Poland.

“A big part of the challenge is addressing the misinformation that is spreading about the realities and facts of the war in Ukraine. Today, we’re committing an additional $10 million for this effort, including new partnerships with think tanks and civil society organizations to conduct region-specific research into misinformation and disinformation, as well as cash grants to support fact-checking networks and non-profits,” Sundar said in the blog post.

He noted that more features will be introduced to combat misinformation and enhance reliable information.

“As an information company, we take our responsibility seriously to provide reliable, trustworthy information to people when they need it. We saw how many Ukrainians turned to Search to find up-to-date information, including where to find shelter or humanitarian aid, and relied on air raid alerts on their phones. To help, we’re also rolling out new features that enhance access to trusted information, including Info Panels in local languages and Transparency Labels for publisher content on YouTube.”

He added that Jigsaw, a unit within Google, will partner with local experts and academics to develop approaches to counter disinformation and help people easily identify disinformation.

Photo does NOT show Abuja – Kaduna train attacked by bandits

Nurudeen Akewushola
-
0
Photo does NOT show Abuja – Kaduna train attacked by bandits

FOLLOWING the reported bandits’ attack on a train carrying over 900 passengers from Abuja to Kaduna on Monday, March 28, 2022, a viral image of train wreckage has been shared multiple times online with a claim that it depicts the incident.

The viral image shows train wreckage caused by an explosion with smoke billowing from it.

A Twitter user with the handle @four_unit tweeted the image with a caption thus:

“JUST IN; 28/3/22 Today Monday news reaching us that Fulani terrorists popularly known as “Bandits” Bombed Kaduna-Abuja Train With Over 1,000 Passengers Aboard. Me :Free MNK, End Nigeria. End Fulani terrorists acts.”

READ: Claim that bandits were chasing police officers in Kaduna is MISLEADING!

 

Another Twitter user with the handle @EkoVanguardTV also shared the same photo with the caption below:

“Breaking News: Over 1,000 passengers feared dead as bandits bomb train referring passengers. Eye witness reports from Villagers along Abuja-Kaduna road called to confirm hearing multiple gunshots and attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train by terrorists.”

THE CLAIM

The photo shows the Abuja – Kaduna train attacked by bandits.

THE FINDINGS

A Google Reverse Image search by The FactCheckHub shows that the image has nothing to do with the Nigerian train bombed by bandits in Kaduna.

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the image was from Iran’s trains crash which happened in Semnan province and killed dozens on the 25th of November 2016, according to a BBC News report. 

The image was also used in a similar news report published by the AFP news agency in November 2016.

ALSO READ: Drone footage of ‘bandits’ posted by Joe Igbokwe is from Kenya not Nigeria

Another media report which published the image in 2016 also confirmed that the train collision in Iran killed at least 44 people and injured several others.

THE VERDICT

The image of the train wreckage does not depict the Kaduna incident where a train was bombed by bandits in Nigeria; thus making the claim FALSE.

Old video of supporters of politician circulates online as bandits invade Kaduna airport

Niyi Oyedeji
-
0
Old video of supporters of politician circulates online as bandits invade Kaduna airport

FOLLOWING the invasion of the Kaduna International Airport on Saturday, March 26, 2022 by bandits, a viral video has appeared online to portray the incident.

The video (now deleted) was tweeted by a Nigerian broadcast journalist, Olajumoke Alawode-James, with the Twitter user ID, @oluwaloninyo.

“Terrorists at Kaduna airport!,” her tweet reads.

START: Claim that bandits were chasing police officers in Kaduna is MISLEADING!

The tweet has garnered over 5,500 views, 150 retweets and over 140 likes as of 1:00 pm on Monday, March 28, 2022. Also, she had over 77,000 followers.

CLAIM

The video shows terrorists’ invasion of Kaduna airport

 

A screenshot of the tweet before it was deleted.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

A Google Reverse Image search conducted on the frames of the video revealed that the video has been on the internet since 2018.

The video was that of the supporters of a politician, who rode motorcycles on the Sokoto airport runway in August 2018.

“Some young Nigerians have been caught on camera riding their motorcycles feverishly on the Sokoto Airport runway,” the report read.

Similarly, The Punch newspaper had reported the same incident earlier on August 4, 2018.

ALSO READ: Did Tinubu win only two out of 23 LGAs in Kaduna State?

Although, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that the bandits who invaded the Kaduna airport on Saturday abandoned two motorcycles, however, the video in circulation used in portraying the bandits has been on the internet since 2018.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows terrorists’ invasion of Kaduna airport is FALSE; checks revealed that the video is that of supporters of a politician who rode motorcycles on the Sokoto airport runway in 2018.

Old video of Nigerian policemen protesting resurfaces online

Nurudeen Akewushola
-
0
Old video of Nigerian policemen protesting resurfaces online

A video showing some officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) protesting has resurfaced on social media with a claim that it shows a recent protest by the police operatives against the leadership of the organisation.

A Twitter user, Achilleus, with the handle @AchilleusChud tweeted the video on March 26, 2022 with a caption: “Operatives of the @PoliceNG protesting openly against leadership of the force. In today’s Nigeria, university unions are on strike. Now, Policemen who put their lives on the line to secure the big people mostly, are protesting. What a statement on @OfficialAPCNg leadership.”

READ: Nigerian police rated ‘worst’ globally 7 years ago, not recent

In the 45-seconds video (now deleted), some police officers were seen blocking the street, firing gunshots and causing public commotion while expressing their grievances over the non-payment of their salaries and calling on the Nigerian government to intervene in the matter.

THE CLAIM

The video shows a protest by some operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in March 2022.

Nigerian police protesting
A screenshot of the Twitter post with the video before it was deleted.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by the FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The full version of the video was uploaded by Channels TV on the 2nd of July, 2018, findings revealed.

According to the television station, the 95-seconds video shows some police officers in Borno State who stormed the streets of Maiduguri to express their grievances over unpaid allowances and poor welfare on Monday, 2nd of July, 2018.

It also reported that the police officers who were owed about 5 months’ salaries barricaded the state police command’s headquarters located on the Maiduguri-Kano expressway and demanded the sack of the then Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris.

Reacting to the tweet via its official Twitter handle (@PoliceNG), the NPF debunked the claim.

A screenshot of the NPF reaction to the tweet.

In a statement signed by the Acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigerian police confirmed it’s an old video.

ALSO READ: Nigerian police spokesman makes misleading claim about firearms recovered in Anambra

 

“The video above depicting mobile police officers protesting was an incident that occurred on 2nd July, 2018 in Maiduguri, Borno State. The public is hereby advised to kindly disregard the video and stop the spread of disinformation. The Nigeria Police remains a disciplined, committed and patriotic Police Force,” it reads.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows some operatives of the Nigeria Police Force protesting in March 2022 is MISLEADING; as the video has been online since July 2018.

Claim that Sowore, Kperogi endorsed Peter Obi for president is FALSE

Niyi Oyedeji
-
0
Claim that Sowore, Kperogi endorsed Peter Obi for president is FALSE

TWO days after former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi joined the 2023 presidential race, a post has circulated online alongside a claim that Omoyele Sowore and Farooq Kperogi have endorsed his candidacy.

The post which contains an image of Peter Obi and quotes purportedly made by Sowore and Kperogi was shared by a Facebook Page named MR BASH.

The post reads:

“Omoyele Sowore and Farook Kperogi Endorses Peters Obi For President

I acknowledge that Nigeria has a virile option in Peter Obi ~ Farook Kperogi

“Peter Obi is the only Nigerian politician that does not have corruption on his neck and he is also good at wealth management…

….If he gets PDP ticket, youths across Nigeria will vote for him because Nigerian youths are tired of corrupt leaders…. – Omoyele Sowore.”

As of 9:00 pm on Saturday, March 26, 2022, the post has garnered 260 likes, about 60 comments with over 80 shares.

READ: Fake quote attributed to Sowore applauding Peter Obi circulates online

THE CLAIM

Omoyele Sowore and Farook Kperogi Endorses Peters Obi For President

Screenshot of the viral Facebook post.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Findings by The FactCheckHub revealed that Omoyele Sowore, who is also a presidential aspirant in the upcoming Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, has denied the claim.

Sowore, in a tweet on his verified Twitter page, stated that the claim that he said Peter Obi is not corrupt is completely false.

Similarly, The FactCheckHub checked the Facebook page of Farooq Kperogi, a US-based Nigerian professor and columnist, who was also purported to have endorsed Peter Obi’s presidential ambition.

ALSO READ: Fact-checking Sowore’s claims at ‘The Candidates’ presidential town hall series

From his page, it was revealed that the only post made on Peter Obi’s ambition was shared on Friday, with the caption, “Peter Obi: Applying to Be Driver of a Knocked-Out Car.”

Kperogi, however, ended the post with a caveat that the post does not in any way means an endorsement of Peter Obi.

“This is not, by any means, an endorsement of Obi’s presidential bid. It’s simply an acknowledgement that Nigeria has a virile option in him,” the caveat reads.

VERDICT

The claim that Sowore and Kperogi have endorsed Peter Obi’s presidential ambition is FALSE; as both individuals debunked any endorsement claim regarding Obi.

1...122123124...166Page 123 of 166