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To coordinate a different narrative and earn engagements online, social media users exploit certain political and socio-economic situations in the country to manage such agendas. Moreover, they use material records of political stakeholders and state actors to earn the unsuspecting public’s trust, creating an online information disorder.
DUBAWA highlighted seven instances in which false statements were attributed to government officials.
- Governor Fubara shuts down NNPC, other oil companies in Rivers State
A Facebook user alleged that the Rivers State governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the shutdown of the National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other oil companies in Rivers State over federal revenue allocation.
However, credible media outlets reported the statement to be false. The River State Commissioner of Information, Joseph Johnson, also dismissed the allegation as false and propaganda.
Read more here.
- Akpabio advises Nigerians to go for free food whenever they see one
A viral video posted on Facebook and X allegedly shows Senate President Godswill Akpabio telling Nigerians to go for free food whenever they see one.
Research by DUBAWA reveals that the video, which was not recent, was misleading and taken out of context. Mr Akpabio’s statement was directed at his colleagues and not Nigerians, as he made it at a dinner organised in his honour at the time he and his deputy had just been inaugurated into the top offices of the senate.
Read more here.
- Akpabio said Nigerian Senate will approve plans for new presidential plane
In June, the House of Representatives committee urged the federal government to purchase new aircraft for the president and his vice due to unforeseen mishaps that may arise from the operational requirements of the presidential air fleet.
Amidst that, an X user quoted the senate president, Godswill Akpabio, for purportedly stating the vice president, Kashim Shettima, declared the government would purchase a private jet for the president despite the harrowing socio-economic conditions Nigerians are experiencing.
“We know Nigerians are hungry, but that will not stop us from approving a private jet for Mr President. His life is more important now than ordinary citizens. We have to do that as fast as possible– Godswill Akpabio.”
DUBAWA verified the statement’s authenticity and noticed no credible media outlet reported the alleged statement. Moreover, the senate president, who was in Zanzibar, Tanzania, at the time he allegedly made the statement, debunked the claim in an interview, referring to it as the “work of detractors.”
Read further here.
- Ibrahim Babangida urged the federal government to arrest citizens seeking national divide
In late July, a social media campaign started on X, forcing the Igbos to exit Lagos State and other states in the Southwest region or face dire consequences. Afterwards, an X page purportedly belonging to a former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, posted;
“The disrespect and hatred of the IGBO community should not be encouraged nor tolerated by any geographical region or zone…”
DUBAWA carried out its investigation. Findings show that no credible media outlet reported Mr Babangida’s alleged statement. Moreover, the X account, purportedly owned by the former head of state, is a parody.
DUBAWA contacted Mr Babangida’s spokesperson, Kassim Afegbua, who dismissed the statement as false.
Read more here.
- Vice president Kashim Shettima, says N8,000 can change the life of a Nigeria Youth
In August, a statement credited to Nigeria’s vice president, Kashim Shettima, suggested that N8,000 could change the life of a Nigerian youth. The message became viral on both X and Facebook.
DUBAWA carried out a keyword search on the alleged statement and found no credible media outlets reported it. Furthermore, a search on Vice President Shettima’s social media handles shows no similar post corroborating the assertion. However, there was no evidence to show that it emanated from him.
Read more here.
- Ibrahim Babangida warns the Federal government over planned military coup in Nigeria
Criticism marred President Bola Tinubu’s administration following his policy subsidy removal on his first day as Nigeria’s president. Later, Nigerians called out the government for its endless harsh policies.
Amidst this, a viral claim on X alleged that former head of state Ibrahim Babangida raised concerns about a military takeover in the country following the accelerating rise in the cost of living and survival.
“I am not in support of the proposed Military takeover, but I will urge the FG to come into Nigeria’s aid before it finally turns into a pandemic.” The claim read.
However, in a counterclaim, Deyemi Saka, a media consultant to Mr Babangida, debunked the claim as false, clarifying that the former military president does not operate any social media account.
Read more here.
- Hope Uzodinma approves free marriages between Imo State indigenes and Fulani settlers
A Facebook user shared a purported publication of ThisDay newspaper on its front page, alleging that Governor Hope Uzodinma has declared free marriage between Fulanis and Imo ladies. The post brewed controversies from the public.
DUBAWA conducted a keyword search and found a 2021 ThisDay newspaper publication debunking the viral newspaper page to have been digitally altered. Other news outlets published a similar disclaimer in 2021.
Read more here.
