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DUBAWA, alongside its partners at the Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NCF), has commenced a live fact-checking of claims ahead of the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State gubernatorial election.
The live fact check will verify false or misleading information shared on social media, such as X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. This is to ensure that the electorate is equipped with accurate information before and during the election period.
Below are the claims:
CLAIM 1
CLAIM: Roundoff News, a news blog, has claimed (archived) that the Zenith Labour Party candidate, Victor Adetunji, has stepped down and endorsed the incumbent Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
FINDINGS: The Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) spoke with Yahaya Makama, the National Secretary of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Makama confirmed the claim to be true but noted that the ZLP was not consulted before the candidate, Victor Adetunji, stepped down and endorsed Oyebanji.
“We didn’t endorse it here, and at the national level. We don’t know anything, as far as we are concerned. We are not aware of it, and we don’t endorse it. He did it without the consent of the national level.”
Makama added that the candidate’s action is the reason the party took action against its state chairperson, and the party does not endorse the All Progressives Congress candidate.
Yinka Oyebode, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, also confirmed Adetunji stepped down and has shown support for Oyebanji.
VERDICT: CORRECT
SOURCE: Yahaya Makama, ZLP National Secretary and Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti State governor, Yinka Oyebode.
DATE: June 18, 2026
FACT CHECK AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun
EDITORS: Lois Ugbede, Opeyemi Kehinde, and Simbiat Bakare.
