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LIVE-CHECK: Osun 2026 governorship election

Editorial
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LIVE-CHECK: Osun 2026 governorship election

THE Osun State 2026 Governorship Election kicks off Saturday morning as voters cast their ballots to elect the next governor for the Southwestern Nigerian state.

Our team of journalists, researchers, fact-checkers, social media monitors, editors, and OSINT experts are on ground at the Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition’s (NFC) Election Situation Rooms to debunk election-related misinformation and disinformation content targeted at causing voter apathy, inciting violence or influencing the outcome of the gubernatorial poll.

Do you have an election-related claim you want us to fact-check?

Share with the NFC via WhatsApp here.

This page is constantly being updated with verified checks.

CLAIM 1

CLAIM: An X user, @Boripe_, claimed (archived here) that APC thugs carted away election materials in Ada, Boripe LGA, Osun State.

FINDINGS

The Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition (NFC) contacted the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, who said she had not received any report of such an incident. We also contacted the state’s Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Etaifo, who said there had been no such report.

VERDICT: INCORRECT

SOURCE: Osun INEC REC and Osun CP Election

DATE: 15/08/2026

AUTHOR: Catherine Adeniyi

EDITOR(S): Lois Ugbede & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 2

An X user, @abdulmojeed_ola, claimed (archived) that Osun State Governor, Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, has agreed to collapse his Accord Party structure to support the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salam, in today’s gubernatorial election, Saturday, August 15, 2026.

FINDINGS

The ADC, in a statement earlier today on Saturday, August 15, 2026, debunked the claim. It clarified that the party has not collapsed its structure or entered into any arrangement to support Governor Adeleke or the Accord Party. The ADC also added that Adeleke has not collapsed his structure into the party to support Salam.

A check of the Facebook page of Governor Adeleke’s Imole campaign council showed that it has not yet issued a statement regarding the claim. No reputable news organisation has confirmed this claim to be true at the moment.

VERDICT:  INCORRECT

SOURCE: ADC Press statement

DATE: 15/08/2026

AUTHOR: Pascal Ibe

EDITOR(S) Bamas Victoria & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 3

An X user asserts (archived link) that 146 suspected imported thugs were arrested at an Osun lawmaker’s residence.

FINDINGS

According to media outlets, the voters were reportedly carrying newly issued Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and were said to be camped at the residence of Hon. Abiola Ibrahim, a member of the Osun State House of Assembly representing the Irewole-Isokan Constituency.

According to Punch Newspapers, the Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Hon. Abiola Ibrahim in connection with the incident. They also reported that 146 suspects were arrested.

VERDICT:  CORRECT!

SOURCE: Leadership Newspapers, Daily Post, Punch 

DATE:  15/08/2026.

AUTHOR: Lademi Aborisade

EDITOR(S) Bamas Victoria & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 4

In a post (archived  here), @PO_GrassRootM wrote: “Osun APC candidate keeps distributing ₦1,000 notes to voters ahead of the election.” Another user, @NNasarawa1, posted the video (archived here)  with the caption: “#RenewedHope How Cash Is Allegedly Being Distributed Ahead of the Osun State Governorship Election.”

FINDINGS

The video, in circulation since August 13, 2026, shows a man wearing an AMBO campaign T-shirt handing N1,000 notes to a group of women. AMBO is the campaign name of Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, the APC governorship candidate. 

Punch reported on the same video on August 13, two days before the election, noting that the development came as the APC held a mega rally in Osogbo, the state capital, in support of its governorship candidate.

VERDICT: CORRECT.

SOURCE: Punch Newspapers, Researcher Observation 

CLAIM 5

An X user, @mayegun180l5, claimed (archived) that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, demanded the removal of the Commissioner of Police (CP) for the 2026 governorship election, Samuel Erale, after casting his vote on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

FINDINGS

NFC watched the coverage video of Governor Adeleke speaking after casting his vote but found no instance in which he called for the removal of the CP Election, Osun State, Samuel Erale.

In the video, Adeleke alleged that a police officer identified as “London” from Port Harcourt had been brought into Osun State to cause unrest and disrupt voting, particularly in his hometown, Ede.

The governor called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to remain vigilant and investigate the allegation.

However, the Osun Government had previously called for the removal of CP Ibrahim Gotan, who was the Commissioner of Police of the Osun State Command before the election. 

Premium Times reported that, following concerns raised by the state government and political parties over Gotan’s neutrality,  Samuel Erale was deployed to Osun as CP Election ahead of the governorship poll.

VERDICT: INCORRECT 

SOURCE: NTA, DailyTrust, TheICIR , Premium Times.

DATE: 15/08/2026

AUTHOR: Pascal Ibe 

EDITOR(S) Bamas Victoria & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 6

An X user, @DebbySimon69, claimed (archived here) that 17 governors of the All Progressives Congress, 7 ministers, and 30 senators are in Osun to rig the election.

FINDINGS

Media reports indicate that several APC governors and senators arrived in Osun State ahead of Election Day to support the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, during the final phase of the campaign. Those reported to be in the state include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma; Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo; Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, among others.

However, footage from the APC rally held on Thursday, August 13 and media reports do not support the claim that 17 APC governors, seven ministers and 30 senators were in the state to rig the governorship election. The available reports and footage show that the number of political office holders present was significantly lower than the figures claimed and there is no evidence indicating their presence was to rig the election.

VERDICT: UNPROVEN

SOURCES: TVC, Punch newspaper

DATE: August 15, 2026.

AUTHOR: Nurudeen Akewushola

EDITOR(S): LOIS UGBEDE, OPEYEMI KEHINDE, MOTUNRAYO JOEL

CLAIM 7

Several X users have claimed that the APC distributed cash ahead of the Osun State governorship election while sharing the same video.

In a post (archived  here), @PO_GrassRootM wrote: “Osun APC candidate keeps distributing ₦1,000 notes to voters ahead of the election.” Another user, @NNasarawa1, posted the video (archived here)  with the caption: “#RenewedHope How Cash Is Allegedly Being Distributed Ahead of the Osun State Governorship Election.”

FINDINGS: The video, in circulation since August 13, 2026, shows a man wearing an AMBO campaign T-shirt handing N1,000 notes to a group of women. AMBO is the campaign name of Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, the APC governorship candidate.

Punch reported on the same video on August 13, two days before the election, noting that the development came as the APC held a mega rally in Osogbo, the state capital, in support of its governorship candidate.

VERDICT: CORRECT.

SOURCE: Punch Newspapers, Researcher Observation

DATE: August 15, 2026.

FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Blessing Muonwe

EDITORS: Bamas Victoria & Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 8

CLAIM: A video circulating on social media shows voters alleging that police officers stormed a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Modakeke, Ife East LGA, in Osun State, fired tear gas, disrupted the distribution of election materials, and allegedly carted away election materials.

FINDINGS: The Sun, Sahara Reporters and Tell Magazine shared the same video and reported the alleged incident.

A Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) observer, God’s Gift Akowe Hope, deployed to Ife East, confirmed the video was recorded at Urban Day Grammar School, Modakeke, Ife East LGA. However, she said she did not witness the alleged incident when she arrived at the location.

The NFC contacted the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abiodun Ojelabi, who said one of the police officers deployed to the centre accidentally discharged tear gas. He added that the officer had been identified and apprehended to explain why he did so. Ojelabi also noted that no election materials were taken away by the police officers at the scene.

VERDICT: PARTLY CORRECT
DATE: August 15, 2026
SOURCES: CJID Observer, Osun Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, The Sun, Sahara Reporters and TELL magazine

FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun

EDITORS: LOIS UGBEDE, OPEYEMI KEHINDE AND MOTUNRAYO JOEL

CLAIM 9

CLAIM: An X user @salawueedris1 claimed (archived here) the police released a video of  33 “imported voters” from Ekiti and Ondo states arrested at Babs Hotel Ede.

FINDINGS:

The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, told the Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition that 33 people were arrested in Babs Hotel, Ede: 30 men and three women, for being brought in to vote.

He said they are still being interrogated, and many of them did not know who recruited them. While the Police said they could not confirm if the circulating video is genuine, a reverse image search led to a news report by Leadership newspaper.  Leadership, with an image which bears similarities to the video, reported that the police said the suspects were brought in from Ondo State for unlawful electoral activities.

VERDICT: PARTLY CORRECT
SOURCE: Osun PPRO and Leadership Newspaper

DATE: 15/08/2026
FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Catherine Adeniyi

EDITOR(S): Lois Ugbede and Simbiat Bakare

CLAIM 10

Several X users, including @Onsogbu, @RealFikayomi66, and @RajiDraj, shared posts  here, here, and here on August 14, 2026, claiming that the police arrested a fake party agent, a fake collation agent, and two election observers in Ila Orangun who were recruited by the Accord Party.

FINDINGS

The posts were shared on Osun Guber election eve, August 14, 2026.

The INEC Manual for Election Officials states that collation officers and election observers are deployed and perform their election-related duties only on election day.

Therefore, the claim that individuals were arrested on election eve “posing as fake collation agents or election observers” raises questions of procedural inconsistency, as these roles would not yet have been operational in the field.

The video attached to the posts shows a crowd, police personnel, and some persons being taken away in vans. However, the location does not appear to be a polling unit or voting centre.

Nothing in the video identifies those arrested as fake collation agents or election observers, nor does it establish any connection between them and Accord Party.

In addition, no credible outlet has reported the incident as of the time of this publication.

VERDICT: Misleading.

SOURCE: INEC electoral guidelines, X pages

DATE: August 15, 2026.

FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Blessing Muonwe

EDITOR(S) Bamas Victoria & Ajibola Amzat

CLAIM 11

On WhatsApp, Nigerians are sharing what they claim is a giveaway opportunity of N100,000 by Afrobeats singer David Adeleke (Davido) amid the ongoing Osun State governorship election, where his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, is seeking re-election.

FINDINGS: Davido was actively involved in Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign, having been appointed chairman of youth mobilisation for the campaign council and publicly campaigned for his uncle. However, there is no credible evidence that Davido or Governor Adeleke announced a N100,000 cash grant for every Nigerian. The NFC found no record of such on the singer’s verified social media pages.

When checked, the NFC found that the link attached to the claim led to a suspicious website asking for the user’s account number and instructed them to share the link with five WhatsApp groups or 15 people on WhatsApp. According to the NFC, such engagement bait is a common feature of phishing scams targeting vulnerable Nigerians.

Section 121 (1)(a) of Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022 criminalises the act of offering money or gifts to influence a voter or candidate.

VERDICT: INCORRECT
SOURCES: David Adeleke, FBI.gov website, NFC researcher
DATE: 15 August 2026

AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun

EDITORS: OPEYEMI KEHINDE and MOTUNRAYO JOEL

CLAIM 12

CLAIM: An X user, @SaliuAminu0001, claimed (archived here) that the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has won the state’s election.

FINDINGS

Recent updates from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicate that sorting and counting of votes are ongoing in various polling units across the state. NFC also checked the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and found that about 2266  results, representing 60.22%, have been uploaded out of 3,763 expected results as at 6:10 PM.

Screenshot of the IReV portal showing that results are still being uploaded.

Vanguard newspaper and Channels TV have also reported that sorting and counting of ballots in the ongoing Osun State gubernatorial election are ongoing.

However, neither INEC nor reputable news outlets have announced the winner of the Osun State election.

VERDICT: INCORRECT

SOURCES: INEC, Vanguard newspaper, Channels TV

DATE: August 15, 2026

EDITORS: Ajibola Amzat

AUTHOR: Cole Praise

CLAIM 13

An X user, @O_basslet (archived here) has posted a video alongside a claim that Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)  officials led thugs to attack Accord party agents in Ward 4, Unit 4 in Ikire, Irewole LGA of Osun State.

FINDINGS

Analysis of the audio-visual attached to the post revealed that individuals present said a popular person known as Abass led the group to attack them, rather than NSCDC officials.

A reverse image search of keyframes from the video by our researchers returned no data of the video online.

The Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition (NFC) reached out to the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, to confirm if there’s any disruption in Ward 4, Unit 4 of Ikire town in the state. Ojelabi said there was no chaos in polling wards and units with the tag 4. He also noted that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ikire town has been securing the Ward 4 in the town.

The coalition also reached out to the spokesperson for the NSCDC, Kehinde Adeleke, who debunked the claim, stating that nothing of such happened or was heard. She also mentioned that she had been going round some polling units to see to it that the election goes smoothly. Residents in Irepodun and Irewole local government areas also confirmed no chaos in the units.

VERDICT: MISLEADING

SOURCES: NSCDC, Osun Police, Residents

DATE: August 15, 2026.

EDITORS:

AUTHOR: Zainab Abdulrasaq

CLAIM 14

A WhatsApp user forwarded a text post (screenshot below) alleging that former Osun governors, Baba (Bisi) Akande and (Olagunsoye) Oyinlola were defeated in their respective polling units.

FINDINGS

The Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition (NFC) reviewed the results on the INEC IReV portal for the polling units mentioned. At Baba Akande’s unit (PU 12, Ward 4, Atogbade, Ila-Orangun), the APC secured 181 votes while Accord received 121, out of 316 total votes. Meanwhile, at former Governor Oyinlola’s unit in Court Hall I, Okuku, Odo-Otin LGA, Accord won with 125 votes against the APC’s 85, from a total of 220 ballots cast. Premium Times and The Nation also reported that Akande won his polling units (PU) for the APC while Oyinlola lost his PU to the ruling Accord party in the state.

VERDICT: PARTLY CORRECT

SOURCES: INEC REV Portal, Premium Times and The Nation.

DATE: August 15, 2026

AUTHOR: Samuel Agbelusi

EDITORS: OPEYEMI KEHINDE AND MOTUNRAYO JOEL

#OsunDecides2026: Fact-checking Adeleke’s claims on governance, pensions and education

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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#OsunDecides2026: Fact-checking Adeleke’s claims on governance, pensions and education

ARISE TV, one of Nigeria’s leading national television channels, hosted a governorship town hall meeting in August 2026 ahead of the Osun State governorship election, featuring three of the leading candidates in the race.

The programme featured incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, who is seeking a second term, alongside Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The candidates presented their visions and manifestos for the state ahead of Saturday’s election.

For this fact-check, The FactCheckHub focused exclusively on claims made by Adeleke and selected some of them for verification, given the volume of claims made during the programme and for the sake of brevity.

READ: Fact-checking Peter Obi’s claims on Channels TV

CLAIM 1

Osun is the only state in the South West without an airport.

FINDINGS

Adeleke claimed that Osun is the only state in the South West without an airport.

For administrative and political representation, Nigeria is grouped into six geopolitical zones: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South and South West. The South West geopolitical zone comprises six states: Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo.

An assessment of aviation infrastructure across Nigeria’s South West geopolitical zone, shows that the other five states in the region, Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun, have operational commercial, passenger or agro-cargo airport facilities.

Specifically, Lagos, Oyo, and Ondo states have long had operational commercial airports. In addition, the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Airport and Ogun State’s Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport have been commissioned and received regulatory approval to commence flight operations.

In contrast, the MKO Abiola International Airport in Moshood Abiola/Ido-Osun, Osun State, remains a project yet to be implemented, making Osun the only state in the South West without an operational airport.

VERDICT

The claim is TRUE. All five other states in the South West have operational airports, while Osun remains the only state in the region without an operational airport.

CLAIM 2

Osun State rose from 33rd to 7th in NECO/WAEC examination performance during his tenure.

FINDINGS

Adeleke claimed that Osun State’s performance in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations improved from 33rd to seventh place during his tenure.

Adeleke also posted the claim on X on 6 May 2025, citing the Standard Educational Performance Ranking of States 2024 report, published by NECO.

According to the document, Osun State ranked seventh, behind Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Benue, Ogun and Katsina states.

However, data analysis by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), an independent, Nigerian investigative journalism organisation, found that the NECO ranking cited by the governor was based solely on the number of candidates who obtained at least five credits, including Mathematics and English. While Osun had 29,101 candidates who met this benchmark, placing it seventh nationally by volume, an assessment based on the actual pass rate among candidates who sat the examination puts Osun’s success rate at 70.52%, ranking it 13th nationally, behind states including Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Lagos.

According to the analysis, using the number of candidates rather than the percentage who passed to rank educational performance can be misleading, as states with larger populations are likely to have more candidates sitting the examination.

VERDICT

The claim is MOSTLY TRUE. While Osun ranked seventh by the total number of candidates who met the pass benchmark, largely reflecting its candidate volume, its performance based on the percentage of candidates who passed places the state 13th nationally.

CLAIM 3

Adeleke claimed his administration recruited more than 1,500 Amotekun personnel.

FINDINGS

The governor claimed that his administration recruited more than 1,500 Amotekun personnel.

Operation Amotekun, formally known as the Western Nigeria Security Network, is a regional security initiative established by the South West states to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities across the region.

In January 2025, Dr Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, said the corps had an initial strength of 320 personnel inherited from the previous administration before the Adeleke administration’s recruitment exercise. He added that Adeleke had approved the recruitment of 1,000 additional operatives to complement the existing personnel.

Following their selection and training, Adeleke presided over the passing-out parade of 1,150 newly recruited Amotekun cadets on 28 March 2025 at the Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State.

The recruitment exercise brought the corps’ strength to 1,150 newly recruited operatives. However, Adeleke’s claim that his administration recruited “more than 1,500” personnel is not supported by the available records. The 1,150 new recruits, combined with the 320 personnel inherited from the previous administration, amount to 1,470, which is 30 short of 1,500.

VERDICT

The claim is MOSTLY TRUE. Adeleke’s administration undertook a significant recruitment exercise for the Osun Amotekun Corps, but available official records show that 1,150 new operatives were recruited. This falls short of the “more than 1,500” claimed by the governor

READ ALSO: Osun 2026: Senator Fadahunsi’s ‘kill’ remark in viral video is real, not AI-generated

CLAIM 4

Adeleke claimed his administration has paid over N80 billion to pensioners.

FINDINGS

Governor Adeleke said during the town hall meeting that his administration had disbursed more than N80 billion to settle inherited pension debts and gratuities.

Findings from statutory records of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and state financial reports indicate that, while Osun State has periodically issued bond certificates to contributory pensioners and released funds for the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), there are no published, audited PenCom records or independent financial reports validating a cumulative N80 billion payout during his tenure.

According to PenCom’s sub-national compliance status reports, Osun State has implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) but still has significant outstanding liabilities relating to accrued rights and pension arrears inherited from previous administrations. Although state government statements, including those reported by The Guardian Nigeria, confirm periodic payments to retirees and next of kin, there is no independent financial audit or verified PenCom remittance record publicly available to substantiate Adeleke’s claim.

VERDICT

The claim is UNPROVEN. While the administration has made payments towards pension liabilities and released pension bonds, no independent audited financial records or verified PenCom documents have been published to substantiate the claimed N80 billion figure.

Pre-election LIVE-CHECK for Osun 2026 governorship election

Editorial
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Pre-election LIVE-CHECK for Osun 2026 governorship election

AHEAD of the Osun State 2026 Governorship Election slated for Saturday, August 15, our team of journalists, researchers, fact-checkers, social media monitors, editors, and OSINT experts are on ground at the Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition’s (NFC) Election Situation Rooms to debunk election-related misinformation and disinformation content targeted at causing voter apathy, inciting violence or influencing the outcome of gubernatorial poll.

Do you have an election-related claim you want us to fact-check?

Share with the NFC via WhatsApp here.

This page is constantly being updated with verified checks. Kindly scroll downward to read them.

Claim 1

On August 13, 2026, Christopher Imumolen, in a video (archived here), claimed that the Accord Party has withdrawn support for its gubernatorial candidate, Ademola Adeleke and endorsed the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

FINDINGS

The Guardian and Premium Times identified Imumolen as the “factional national chairman” of the Accord Party, whose faction has withdrawn support for Governor Adeleke ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

However, Punch reported that the Accord Party has dismissed Imumolen’s claim of endorsement of the APC’s gubernatorial candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The party also dismissed Imumolen’s description as a factional leader, stating that it has no faction.

Additionally, the current national party Chairperson of the Accord Party, recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is Maxwell Mgbudem. The Accord Party’s official website also mentions Mgbudem as its national chairperson.

VERDICT: MISLEADING.

SOURCE: INEC, Accord Party’s website, Premium Times, Punch

DATE: 13/8/2026

FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Cole Praise

EDITORS: Lois Ugbede, Bamas Victoria & Simbiat Bakare.

CLAIM 2

On Aug. 13, 2026, barely 48 hours before the 2026 Osun governorship election, an X user, @OurFavOnlineDoc, posted a video (archived here) showing a woman distributing cash to residents, with a claim that it shows the wife of an APC candidate sharing money with women to buy their votes.

FINDINGS

NFC checks show that the woman in the video is Maryam Wadada, the wife of Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State.

According to Nasarawa Eye, a local media outlet that reported the exercise, the video shows the distribution of N50,000 each to women in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State as part of an empowerment programme supported by Senator Wadada.

Speaking at the event, Maryam said the money was intended to help the beneficiaries grow their businesses, support their children and become self-reliant.

However, there is no evidence that the money was distributed specifically to induce voters. Although the timing of the intervention may raise questions, available evidence shows the exercise is a women’s empowerment programme rather than voter inducement.

Source: Nasarawa Eye

VERDICT: MISLEADING

Date: 14/08/2026

Author: Nurudeen Akewushola

Editors: Bamas Victoria, Lois Ugbede, & Simbiat Bakare.

CLAIM 3

An X user shared a video (archived link) claiming that an Osun entrepreneur was seen sharing rice with residents while urging them to vote for the APC

FINDINGS

The Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition conducted an image search on the video and found that the earliest version dates to Aug 11, 2026. In the video posted by ROOTS TV, the entrepreneur was identified as Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero Arike, a famous grassroots mobilizer for the All Progressives Congress (APC).  She was filmed distributing rice to residents while urging them to vote for the APC candidate in the forthcoming Osun governorship election.  Punch Newspaper also reported the event.

VERDICT: CORRECT

SOURCE: ROOTS TV, PUNCH Newspaper

DATE: 14/08/2026

AUTHOR:  Lademi Aborisade

EDITOR(S): Lois Ugbede

CLAIM 4

Nigeria Newsdesk, in a post on X, claimed that the Nigerian Police Force had announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement from midnight ahead of the Osun governorship election on Saturday, 15 August 2026.

FINDINGS: Reports from  TVC News confirm that the Nigerian Police Force in Osun State announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement from midnight on Friday. The restriction exempts voters and people on special or security duties. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu said the measure was introduced to enhance security during the election.

VERDICT: CORRECT

SOURCE: TVC News, The Guardian

DATE: 14/08/2026

AUTHOR: Rebecca Ogungbure

EDITOR(S): MOTUNRAYO JOEL AND OPEYEMI KEHINDE

CLAIM 5

An X user claimed (archived here) that INEC had substituted the names of polling officers and ad hoc staff  in Egbedore, Atakumosa East and West, with those of people who were neither trained nor shortlisted.

FINDINGS: To verify the claim, the Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition (NFC) contacted on-ground observers from the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID). In Atakumosa East, an observer shared with the NFC photographs showing instances where the names of electoral officials had reportedly been replaced. In Atakumosa West, an observer said that the names displayed publicly by INEC did not match those of officials trained by the commission, adding that most trainees could not find their names on their list.

However, an observer in Egbedore told the NFC that the names of INEC’s ad hoc staff and polling officers had not been changed for the area.

The NFC contacted INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, about the situation, and she stated that INEC properly collated the names of its ad hoc staff. However, the number of people that were trained exceeds the number of workforce needed to handle the election.

VERDICT: PARTLY CORRECT

SOURCES: CJID Observers, INEC’s REC for Osun State.

DATE: 14/8/2026

AUTHOR: Cole Praise

EDITOR(S): MOTUNRAYO JOEL AND OPEYEMI KEHINDE

Osun 2026: Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition opens situation rooms to fight election misinformation

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Osun 2026: Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition opens situation rooms to fight election misinformation

THE Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) has opened its situation rooms ahead of the Osun State governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, 15 August 2026.

In a statement signed by the NFC National Coordinator, David Ajikobi, on Thursday, the coalition said its members and volunteers would work from Abuja and Lagos to monitor false and manipulated narratives that could incite violence, encourage voter apathy and undermine public trust during the election.

It added that partner organisations, including Africa Check and Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab (DigiAfricaLab), would be on the ground in Osun State to monitor the election firsthand and provide real-time assessments to the NFC Situation Rooms.

Formed in June 2022, the coalition comprises signatories of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), Africa Check, CableCheck (The Cable), FactCheckHub, and DUBAWA, who are all working alongside other partners, including the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (The ICIR), the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), FactsMatterNG, Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab, Alkalanci, The Continental, Round Check, WikkiTimes and FactWatch.

The statement noted that the NFC verified several harmful narratives during the Ekiti State governorship election, using an effective model of collaboration and teamwork. It added that the coalition intends to build on this work during the Osun election, with Nigeria’s 2027 general election approaching in a few months.

The statement added that the coalition is also carrying out Media and Information Literacy (MIL) activities to help Nigerians better understand and navigate the information environment during the election. According to the statement, these efforts are designed to equip citizens with practical skills to identify misleading and manipulated content, assess the credibility of information sources, and make informed decisions about the information they consume and share, both online and offline.

Concerns over security misinformation

Kemi Busari, Editor of DUBAWA Nigeria, said the security situation in Osun ahead of the election makes monitoring election-related misinformation particularly important.

“The security situation in Osun leading up to this election has been concerning. We expect a lot of security-related misinformation and disinformation. We are already seeing some of them; some are even old or unrelated claims,” he said.

“Our hope is that people vote freely and based on their choices. At NFC, we will be working towards availing them with accurate information to make that decision. We have a team of trained fact-checkers and editors monitoring the information space both online and offline, and we will be working with local partners to disseminate our reports.”

AI and election integrity

Ajikobi said advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier to produce convincing false or misleading election content at a scale and speed that presents a new challenge for fact-checkers and voters.

“AI has made it faster, cheaper, and easier to create convincing false or misleading election content, from synthetic images and cloned voices to AI-generated text that mimics official statements,” Ajikobi said.

“Social media can spread this content nationwide within minutes, often faster than it can be verified or corrected. Content that once required specialist skills can now be produced by almost anyone with a smartphone and access to AI tools. This means Nigerians are likely to encounter more sophisticated election misinformation, making early detection, rapid verification, and credible correction more important than ever. This is why coordinated efforts like the NFC Situation Room are important in identifying false narratives before they gain wider traction,” he added.

Building public confidence

The NFC also aims to go beyond verifying false or manipulated information by helping Nigerians develop greater confidence in the information they rely on during the election.

“We also want them to develop simple habits such as pausing before sharing unverified information, checking claims against credible sources, and recognising manipulated or AI-generated content. Ultimately, the goal is to help Nigerians navigate the information environment more confidently and make informed decisions based on verified information,” Ajikobi said.

The coalition encouraged voters, journalists, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to verify election-related information before sharing it, particularly content designed to provoke fear, anger, or confusion. It also urged members of the public to share any unverified information with the NFC Situation Rooms via WhatsApp on +2349030785265 AND +2349083777789, or by email at nigerianfactcheckerscoalition@gmail.com.

The coalition concluded by assuring the public that verified reports and fact-checks will be disseminated through its member organisations and partners throughout the election period.

No, Finnish court did not acquit Simon Ekpa

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
No, Finnish court did not acquit Simon Ekpa

A POST circulating on X claims that Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), has been acquitted by a Finnish court.

The claim was made by an X user, Daniel Somtochukwu, @Somtolism7, who shared a screenshot with the caption:

“Simon ekpa was acquitted by the Finland court. Nigeria 💔 cry me rivers of tears”

The post had generated over 4,700 views, 250 likes and dozens of reposts as of August 12 2026.

CLAIM

Simon Ekpa was acquitted by a Finnish court.

Screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Simon Ekpa is the self-acclaimed prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, an Autopilot faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was arrested in Finland in November 2024 over allegations of terrorism-related offences and incitement in Nigeria’s South-East.

Following court proceedings, a Finnish court sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison in September 2025 for terrorism-related offences and ordered the confiscation of his assets. Ekpa has repeatedly denied sponsoring terrorism.

He subsequently appealed the judgment. Reuters reported in October 2025 that the East Finland Court of Appeal had received his appeal and that the case would be heard no earlier than April or May 2026. Reuters also confirmed that Ekpa had not been released following the filing of the appeal.

A report published on 7 August 2026 stated that Ekpa’s appeal hearing took place on Thursday, 6 August. According to the report, Ekpa appeared at the proceedings and maintained that he had been wrongly convicted, expressing confidence that the judgment would eventually be overturned. However, the report did not state that the court had acquitted him or overturned his conviction.

The FactCheckHub found no credible report confirming that Ekpa had been acquitted by the Finnish court. An acquittal or the overturning of his six-year terrorism-related conviction would be a significant development in a high-profile case involving a Nigerian separatist leader and would ordinarily attract widespread coverage from credible local and international media organisations.

VERDICT

The claim that Simon Ekpa was acquitted by a Finnish court is FALSE. Ekpa was sentenced to six years in prison in September 2025 and appeared at an appeal hearing in Finland on August 6 2026. Reports on the proceedings indicate that he was seeking to overturn his conviction; there is no credible evidence that he had been acquitted or that his sentence had been overturned.

Osun 2026: Senator Fadahunsi’s ‘kill’ remark in viral video is real, not AI-generated

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Osun 2026: Senator Fadahunsi’s ‘kill’ remark in viral video is real, not AI-generated

A VIRAL video circulating on social media shows Francis Fadahunsi, the senator representing Osun East, addressing a crowd of supporters in Ilesa, Osun State, ahead of the governorship election.

Speaking in Yoruba, Fadahunsi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is heard addressing his supporters and urging them to confront opposition party members, with his remarks translated as ‘kill them’.

The senator said in the video:

“What kind of life is this? We don’t want to hear anything about the Accord Party again in Ilesa. We have now told you, until the election period, whenever you see them, kill them.”

The remarks sparked widespread public outrage, with public figures including musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke calling for Fadahunsi’s arrest. The senator, however, denied inciting violence.

In a statement titled ‘Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Fadahunsi Tells APC’, his media office said the remarks were a call to defeat the opposition at the polls rather than through violence.

However, during a subsequent live interview on TVC News, the senator claimed that the video circulating on social media was created using artificial intelligence (AI), while also arguing that his reference to ‘reprisal’ meant defeating political opponents at the polling units.

READ: AI-generated image falsely depicts Simon Ekpa celebrating in court

CLAIM

Senator Francis Fadahunsi claims viral video showing him calling for Accord Party members to be killed is AI-generated.

Screenshot of the TVC interview with Fadahunsi

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

To verify the authenticity of the clip, The FactCheckHub subjected various angles of the footage to digital forensic tools. Analysis using Hive Moderation returned a 0.2 per cent probability that the footage was AI-generated and a 0.1 per cent probability that it was a deepfake, indicating that the media is authentic. Another angle of the footage analysed by Hive Moderation was rated 100 per cent real. These results support the conclusion that the footage is authentic and has not been manipulated.

screenshot of the two results from Hive Moderation

The FactCheckHub subjected the images to another verification tool, IsItAI, which returned a 69 per cent probability that the media was authentic and unmanipulated.

Screenshot of IsItAI result after subjecting the images.

Beyond forensic detection, inconsistencies in the lawmaker’s defence also cast doubt on the AI claim. Before alleging that the video was AI-generated, his media team issued an official statement seeking to contextualise the remarks as political rhetoric, effectively acknowledging that the incident occurred.

READ ALSO: Claim that genetic mutation makes people entirely immune to HIV is misleading

Furthermore, during his live appearance on TVC News, Fadahunsi admitted to speaking Yoruba in the video, claiming that his statement was merely a ‘parable’. He also confirmed that he led a protest at the Oba’s palace in Ilesa on Tuesday, the same location where the video was recorded.

“When I got to the Oba’s palace today, I led my people there to protest to the Oba that last night we lost three people. This morning, they’ve killed again,” he stated during the broadcast.

Additionally, The ICIR and other media organisations reported the lawmaker’s remarks and subsequently reported that the Nigeria Police Force had invited Fadahunsi for questioning over the alleged incitement to violence.

VERDICT

The claim by senator Francis Fadahunsi that the viral video showing him threatening Accord Party members is AI-generated is FALSE. Forensic analysis confirms that the footage is genuine, while the senator’s own admissions and official statements acknowledge that the event took place.

Osun 2026: Meet the 13 faces in the governorship race

Mustapha Usman
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Osun 2026: Meet the 13 faces in the governorship race

THIRTEEN candidates, including the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party; the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salam, are vying for the Osun State governorship seat in an election scheduled for this Saturday, August 15.

The poll, which has increasingly taken the shape of a three-way contest, will see the three leading candidates and their respective parties slugging it out, while other contenders will also seek to prove their mettle in the race.

The exercise will be held across the state’s 30 local government areas, 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listing 2,339,233 registered voters for the poll and deploying 5,130 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices.

INEC had cleared 14 candidates for the election, but the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Adeyemi-Doro Adesina, withdrew from the exercise and threw his weight behind the APC.

The election is the second off-cycle governorship election in the South-West this year after Ekiti’s which took place on June 18.

Data by the electoral commission noted that about 16,374 ad hoc personnel are expected to participate in the exercise, while thousands of security personnel are to be deployed across the state.

Although the other 10 candidates could affect the distribution of votes, the election has increasingly revolved around Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salam.

Adeleke seeks second term

Adeleke is seeking to retain the seat he won in 2022 after defeating the then-incumbent governor, Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, who is now the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

The victory reversed the outcome of the 2018 election, when Oyetola defeated Adeleke by only 482 votes after INEC declared the initial poll inconclusive.

Four years later, Adeleke won 403,371 votes against Oyetola’s 375,027, according to INEC’s result.

Now seeking another term, Adeleke has built his campaign around what his administration describes as achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and workers’ welfare.

When he emerged as Accord Party’s candidate in December 2025, Adeleke unveiled an updated five-point agenda covering citizens and workers’ welfare, infrastructure, agro-industrial development, health and education, and the business environment.

But the governor is entering the election under considerable pressure. His administration has been involved in prolonged disputes with the APC over the control of local governments, while his government and some other opposition parties have also traded words over political violence and the activities of security agencies. Adeleke is from Ede.

APC’s attempt to return to power 

Oyebamiji is the APC’s candidate in the forthcoming election. He served as Osun commissioner for finance under former governor Rauf Aregbesola and later under Oyetola.

He subsequently became managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority before resigning in 2025 to pursue the governorship.

For the APC, the election is an opportunity to reclaim a state it lost to Adeleke in 2022 and also win it for President Bola Tinubu who is seeking re-election on the APC platform. The party’s national influence also gives the contest a wider political dimension.

The candidate is from Ikire in Irewole Local Government of Osun State.

Salam banks on Aregbesola, other ADC members backing

Salam is the third major name in the contest. The ADC candidate is a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and represented Ejigbo Constituency in the legislature.

He served as Speaker between 2011 and 2015 and returned to the Assembly in 2017.

His political experience gives the ADC a candidate with a longstanding presence in Osun politics.

More importantly, his candidacy provides an alternative for voters who are dissatisfied with both Adeleke and the APC.

Olanrewaju Farinloye – Action Alliance

Olanrewaju Farinloye, 40, is the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA).

According to the candidate information published by INEC , Farinloye has GCSE and CCECS academic qualifications. His running mate is Fadahunsi Olaniyi, 67.

Olajide Esan – African Action Congress

Olajide Esan, 39, is contesting on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC).

He holds First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate and a Bachelor of Science degree. His running mate is Bello Muideen Yekeen, 51.

Yemisi Adeagbo Opawoye – African Democratic Party

Yemisi Adeagbo Opawoye, 84, is the only female governorship candidate in the race. She is contesting under the African Democratic Party (ADP) and holds a Bachelor of Education degree.

She is paired with Atanda Eniola Babatunde, 43.

Her candidacy also makes her the oldest of the 14 candidates cleared for the election.

Adewale Adebayo – Allied Peoples Movement

Adewale Adebayo is the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

He has secured the endorsement of the Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

Clement Adesuyi – Action Peoples Party

Clement Adesuyi is contesting the governorship election on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP). He is one of the candidates outside the leading political camps in the race.

He emerged as the governorship candidate of his party in December 2025. His manifesto, he said, focuses on transforming the state through increased investment in youth empowerment, healthcare, education and infrastructure.

Masilo Adeleke – Boot Party

Masilo Adeleke is the governorship candidate of the Boot Party. Adeleke contested in 2023 for the senatorial election but lost.

Masilo, in his campaign promises, pledged to change the face of Osun State economically and infrastructurally.

He noted that his government would be modelled  in line with late chief Bola Ige administration in 1979 to 1983.

Taofeek Adeleke – New Nigeria Peoples Party

Taofeek Adeleke is the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He said his administration would seek to improve residents’ living standards across the state by prioritising education, healthcare, security and infrastructure.

Saliu Oyelami – Peoples Redemption Party

Saliu Oyelami is contesting under the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). In July, Oyelami boasted he would win the poll, saying the incumbent Ademola Adeleke would be among the first to congratulate him after the election

Olalekan Ogunsakin – Young Progressives Party

Olalekan Ogunsakin is the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP). He is among the candidates from smaller parties seeking to compete for the state’s top political office.

Adefemi Adesuyi – Zenith Labour Party

Adefemi Adesuyi is the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). During his campaign, he said he was targeting over 800,000 incorruptible voters to secure victory.

Adeyemi-Doro Adesina – All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate withdraws, backs APC 

Meanwhile, Adeyemi-Doro Adesina, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election had on Saturday, August 8, said he had withdrawn from the race and endorsed the APC candidate.

Giving the reasons for his withdrawal during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, August 10, he said his decision was based on what he considered to be the best interest of the state and its people.

The APGA candidate said his involvement in politics was driven by a desire to serve rather than to pursue personal ambition or political office.

This story is republished from The ICIR

Video does not show Mary Habila’s father accusing David Umahi of threat

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Video does not show Mary Habila’s father accusing David Umahi of threat

A VIDEO circulating on social media claims to show the father of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old physiotherapist who died at the residence of Nigeria’s minister of works, David Umahi, accusing the minister of threatening him.

An X user, @SadiqMaunde, shared the video with the caption:

“The father of the lady who died in David Umahi’s house said that Umahi is threatening him. Listen for yourselves. Omo.”

As of August 11, 2026, the post had generated over 2,800 reposts and more than 4,900 likes.

CLAIM

Video shows Mary Habila’s father accusing David Umahi of threatening him.

screenshot of the viral post showing Tabara Samuel Kato, the National President of SOKAPU not habila’s father

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Mary Habila, a 26-year-old physiotherapist, died on June 27, 2026, at the residence of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State, southeastern Nigeria. Her death sparked controversy, with calls for an investigation and autopsy to determine the circumstances and cause of death. Umahi has denied any wrongdoing.

In an affidavit filed before the Ebonyi state high court, Habila’s father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, rejected an autopsy and requested the release of his daughter’s body for burial. He stated that the family did not suspect foul play and did not wish to pursue further investigations into her death.

The controversy continued after the Southern Kaduna Peoples United Associations (SOKAPU), a socio-cultural organisation representing the people of Southern Kaduna, filed a lawsuit seeking an independent investigation into Habila’s death. The association also sought N20 billion in damages.

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the man speaking in the viral video is SOKAPU’s national president Tabara Samuel Kato, and not Habila’s father.

Kato made the remarks during an emergency press conference on July 28, 2026, following SOKAPU’s lawsuit seeking an investigation into Habila’s death. According to the association, Umahi contacted Kato via WhatsApp that morning after learning of the lawsuit and a television interview Kato had granted. SOKAPU alleged that the minister threatened Kato in connection with the lawsuit.

Kato alleged that Umahi made the following remarks before ending the call: “I am David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works. I saw your suit against me, you need money right? I will teach you a lesson of your life such that you will learn never to mess with person like me. I will give you 10 lawsuits. People are mourning and there you are taking me to court. I will deal with you!”

These claims were made by Kato and SOKAPU and, on their own, do not establish that Umahi made the alleged threats.

The viral post therefore misidentifies Kato as Habila’s father, creating the false impression that the deceased’s father was the person accusing Umahi of making threats. Available reports show that Habila’s father instead rejected an autopsy, withdrew from further investigation and requested that his daughter’s body be released for burial.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Mary Habila’s father accusing David Umahi of threatening him is FALSE. The man in the video is Tabara Samuel Kato, SOKAPU’s national president, who made the allegations against Umahi during a press conference over Habila’s death. Habila’s father is Tanko Habila Wisdom.

Peter Obi did not head Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission under Jonathan

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Peter Obi did not head Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission under Jonathan

A VIRAL post on X (formerly Twitter) by user @AmodaOgunlere claimed that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former governor of Anambra State, served as director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is the primary regulatory institution overseeing Nigeria’s capital market.

The post challenged users to share videos highlighting Obi’s alleged achievements and reforms during his purported tenure as SEC director general, comparing him to the current SEC director general, Dr. Emomotimi Agama.

The caption says:

“Peter Obi was appointed as SEC Director General by GEJ, now show me one video of Peter Obi speaking on issues like this when he was head of SEC. Show me a single video of his reforms and achievement as head of SEC… I will withdraw my support for Tinubu ASAP!”

As of August 10, 2026, the post has garnered over 36,000 views, 190 retweets and over 400 likes.

READ: No, Peter Obi did not ask Nigerian Army to reject salary increase until after 2027

CLAIM

Post claims Peter Obi served as director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan.

Screenshot of the post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

A review of official government announcements and news archives from April 2015 found no evidence that Obi was ever appointed director general of the SEC.

On April 27, 2015, Jonathan appointed Obi as the Chairman of the SEC Board, a non-executive position. On the same day, Jonathan confirmed Mounir Haliru Gwarzo as the substantive director general of the SEC. Channels Television, Vanguard and other media houses reported the appointments.

The video attached to the viral post features the current director general of the SEC, Agama, discussing technical capital market reforms following the launch of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Payments Vision 2028.

In the broadcast, Agama explained how the capital market transitioned from a T+5 settlement timeline down to a T+1 settlement cycle, noting that shorter settlement times allow investors to access funds faster after completing transactions, in line with the Nigerian Capital Market Master Plan.

READ ALSO: Fact-checking Peter Obi’s claims on Channels TV

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the office of the director general, which was held by Mounir Gwarzo in 2015, is the apex of the SEC’s hierarchy. The office plays a pivotal role in overseeing the overall functions of the Commission and is responsible for setting its strategic direction in line with the broader objectives of Nigeria’s capital market.

While the page did not explicitly state the functions of the Chairman, the two positions are distinct and separate administrative offices within the SEC.

VERDICT

The claim that Peter Obi was director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is FALSE. Obi was appointed Chairman of the SEC Board in April 2015, while Mounir Gwarzo served as the director general.

No, Peter Obi did not ask Nigerian Army to reject salary increase until after 2027

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
No, Peter Obi did not ask Nigerian Army to reject salary increase until after 2027

A claim that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, called on the Nigerian military to reject the recently announced salary increase for military personnel until after the 2027 general election has surfaced online.

The claim was shared by an X user, @HighChiefOkoro, alongside a screenshot that appears to resemble a report by Peoples Gazette, a Nigerian media platform.

He captioned the post:

“Peter Obi has called on the Nigeria military to reject the increase of their salary until the 2027 election.”

As of August 10, 2026, the post had generated over 150 reposts and more than 400 likes.

The post was also surfaced here and here.

 

CLAIM

Peter Obi called on the Nigerian military to reject the salary increase until after the 2027 election.

Screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The claim comes amid recent moves by the Bola Tinubu administration to improve the welfare and remuneration of personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces. In July 2026, Nigeria’s Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the government had increased the minimum monthly salary of soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, describing the adjustment as part of efforts to improve troop welfare.

The government subsequently announced a broader salary increase for Armed Forces personnel. President Bola Tinubu approved the new pay structure in August 2026, with the increases scheduled to take effect from September 1, 2026. Under the approved structure, personnel from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase, while warrant officers to colonels will receive a 50 per cent increase. Senior officers above the rank of colonel, including generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase. The adjustment is expected to raise the annual military wage bill from about ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.

However, checks by The FactCheckHub found no evidence that Obi called on the military to reject the salary increase until after the 2027 election. Searches of his official communication channels and credible media reports found no record of such a statement.

The screenshot attributed to Peoples Gazette also could not be matched to any genuine report published by the media organisation. Searches of its website and official social media platforms found no credible record of the purported story.

The absence of the claim from Obi’s official channels and credible media reports shows that the information is not authentic.

VERDICT

The claim that Peter Obi asked the Nigerian military to reject the salary increase until after the 2027 election is FALSE. The purported Peoples Gazette report could not be verified, and the statement does not appear on Obi’s official platforms or in credible media reports.

 

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