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In a bold move to strengthen electoral integrity and democracy, the Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) has launched a real-time fact-checking initiative to monitor and verify claims around the Ekiti State governorship election.
This live fact-checking effort seeks to curb the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and political propaganda that often cloud Nigeria’s electoral processes. By scrutinising information regarding the election as it emerges, the coalition aims to promote fact-based political discourse, minimise tensions driven by false narratives, enhance voter awareness, and uphold a transparent and credible election.
At a time when Nigeria faces increasing threats from false information and manipulative content, the NFC’s proactive approach is a crucial safeguard for democracy. It empowers citizens with verified information, ensuring that electoral choices are guided by truth rather than deception.
Stay tuned as our team brings you verified insights and real-time updates from the NFC’s fact-checking situation rooms.
Live Check Updates
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CLAIM: The Nation Newspaper claimed (archived) that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has withdrawn support for its governorship candidate, Peter Obafemi, and adopted incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
FINDINGS: The Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) found several reports stating that the SDP, at the state level, has rallied support and aligned its structure with the APC to support the governor’s re-election bid.
However, in a statement reported by TVC News and The Independent Newspaper, the SDP national leadership publicly distanced itself from the statement. The National Organising Secretary, Dr Uchechukwu Chukwuma Ogbonna, assured members of the party that they remain behind the party’s candidate, Peter Olugbenga Obafemi.
Obafemi also reaffirmed his position as one of the people’s options at the polls. He said this while discussing his plans for the people of Ekiti on the TVC News YouTube page on Thursday, 18 June 2026.
Despite the intra-party dispute in SDP, INEC told the NFC that the party remains on the ballot and that votes cast for the party will be recorded.
VERDICT: MISLEADING
CLAIM: A Facebook user shared an image (archived here) claiming it shows Ekiti residents collecting food items from politicians ahead of the June 20, 2026, gubernatorial elections.
FINDINGS: Google Reverse Image Search results linked the image to a separate event, which took place in Oyo State on June 9, 2026. Sahara Reporters, Lagelu FM and Punch explained that the image showed some Oyo residents expressing their support for Sharafadeen Alli, an APC politician, after he distributed 1kg sachets of Semovita during a political outreach.
VERDICT: MISLEADING.
CLAIM: An X user @OyoNews1 claims (archived here) that INEC cleared 13 political parties.
FINDINGS: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID), and DUBAWA’s publications reveal there were 14 candidates cleared by INEC to contest for the top political seat in Ekiti State.
However, Joseph Anifowose of the Allied Peoples Movement party, in May 2026, declared support for the current governor, Abiodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress party. Victor Adetunji of the Zenith Labour Party also stepped down in support of the APC candidate on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Meanwhile, INEC has included the Social Democratic Party’s candidate, Peter Obafemi, in the governorship race, despite its leadership crisis. INEC in Ekiti State told the Nigerian Fact-Checking Coalition that, despite the inclusion, there is no updated official list reflecting the new development. Consequently, only 13 candidates are currently in the race.
VERDICT: CORRECT.
CLAIM: A picture is going viral on WhatsApp with the headline, “Ekiti High Court “nullifies” Supreme Court’s Verdict,” linking the story to the ongoing elections in the state.
FINDINGS: A Google search revealed that the picture in question was a screenshot of an old news article published by The Nation in 2019. The context is the relocation of the Ilejemeje local government council headquarters from Iye-Ekiti to Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti State.
After a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court in support of the relocation, Justice Abiodun Adesodun of the Ekiti High Court faulted the government’s compliance with the verdict and insisted that the status quo be maintained until the final ruling of the lower court on the case.
The story was also reported by Vanguard News and Premium Times Nigeria that same year.
VERDICT: MISLEADING
CLAIM: An X user shared a video claiming unrest in Isan-Ekiti after a man was shot dead ahead of the election.
FINDINGS: Abayomi Shogunle, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, confirmed there was unrest on the eve of the election. He claimed it was the result of a football match in the community, not election-related. Observers deployed by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) confirmed that a bus which conveyed police officers from Abuja to Ekiti, two tippers, and the police station were burnt down. While there was unrest, Police and other sources said that it was unrelated to the election.
VERDICT: PARTLY CORRECT
CLAIM: Roundoff News, a news blog, has claimed it (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
This report is courtesy of the Nigerian Factcheckers Coalition and will be updated timely.
