By Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition.

The Nigerian Fact-checkers’ Coalition (NCF) has commenced a live fact check of claims around the Sep. 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election.

This is to ensure the dispensation of accurate information during the election period, The live fact-check will verify false or misleading information shared on social media, such as X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

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

Here are the fact-checks:

CLAIM 1

CLAIM:  An X user, @justsociety4all posted an APC membership card allegedly belonging to the INEC’s supervising national commissioner for Edo, Rhoda Gumus. The post claims she’s a member of the party.

FINDINGS: Checks by NFC show that the registration form has been online since 2022 during the build up to the 2023 general election. According to The ICIR, the membership card was part of the materials in the petition submitted to the Senate by Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) opposing Gumus’ confirmation as an INEC national commissioner.  The report confirmed that Gumus was indeed a member of the APC in Bayelsa State with Registration Form No: BAY/YEN/08/58315.

VERDICT: CORRECT

SOURCE: The ICIR

CLAIM 2 

CLAIM: An X user, @CrownPrinceCom2 claimed that the governor of Edo state, Godswin Obaseki said the Edo election is a “do or die affair.” 

FINDINGS:  According to TheCable, Obaseki referred to the Edo election a “do or die affairs” while speaking at the grand finale rally of the People’s Democratic Party on September 13 in the Ekenwan area of Benin City, the state capital. In a follow-up interview with Channels TV, the governor reiterated the statement and expressed no regret for making it.

VERDICT: CORRECT

SOURCES: Channels TV, The Cable

CLAIM 3

CLAIM: An X user @kunmydrey claimed Edo PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo stepped down for Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.

FINDINGS:  A press statement by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday night stated that Asue Ighodalo Is very much in the race.

VERDICT: INCORRECT 

SOURCE: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) official X account