Fact-Checking Round-Up: Obi's Old Rally, Adelabu's 2022 Interview, and Other Top Claims

In the lead-up to the 2027 election, misinformation and disinformation are rampant, with recycled campaign videos, doctored speeches, and distorted public statements shaping public opinion and causing unnecessary confusion. To combat this, DUBAWA, a fact-checking organization, has been verifying the accuracy of trending claims. Last week, they examined several high-profile claims, including a video of a youth rally in Abuja, which was found to be misleading. The video, which showed a crowd chanting Peter Obi's name, was actually from a 2022 Labour Party rally in Calabar, Cross River State.

Another claim that was fact-checked was a social media post that falsely claimed that a UNICEF report revealed 90% of sanitary pads sold on the market are contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The claim gained traction on Facebook, sparking concern among users about the safety and quality of menstrual hygiene products available to women. However, DUBAWA's fact-check confirmed that the assertion is misleading. UNICEF's 2026 report on technical specifications for disposable sanitary pads simply states that pads must be free from bacterial contamination; it does not claim that 90% of available products are contaminated.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor and vice-presidential hopeful for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), recently made several statements about economic allocations, political history, and state policies. Amongst his assertions, Kwankwaso claimed that Kano State generated over N1 trillion in recent years. He also downplayed the Federal allocations received during his tenure and insisted that his administration provided eight years of entirely free education from primary school through to university. DUBAWA's fact-check revealed a mixed record, with some claims being correct and others being misleading based on official financial records and policy implementation dates.

A Facebook user shared a video claiming that former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu recently urged Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, DUBAWA found the claim misleading. Source tracing revealed the video was recorded during a 2022 radio interview with Lagelu FM, after Adelabu left the APC to contest the governorship under another party. Furthermore, the translated Yoruba commentary shows he made no explicit call for voters to reject the APC, but rather argued that candidates should be evaluated on their individual merits.

A viral video circulating on social media claims that thousands of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) members recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State. However, DUBAWA's fact-check confirmed that the video is misleading. Key visual details, such as rally attendees wearing yellow caps emblazoned with "2023," and reverse image searches traced the footage back to a February 2023 campaign rally for APC gubernatorial aspirant Nasiru Yusuf.

Another viral video shows a rally for Peter Obi in Imo State, but DUBAWA found the claim misleading and the footage recycled. Similarly, a video purportedly showing President Bola Tinubu announcing plans to release IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and calling for an end to the South-East sit-at-home directive was found to be false and digitally manipulated. Source tracing showed the original clip was recorded during Tinubu's address at President John Mahama's inauguration in Ghana in January 2025, where no mention of Kanu was made.

In conclusion, DUBAWA's fact-checking efforts have revealed that many of the trending claims circulating online are misleading or false. It is essential for the public to verify information before sharing it to avoid spreading misinformation. By doing so, citizens can make informed decisions, especially in the lead-up to the 2027 election. DUBAWA's work is crucial in this regard, as it helps to promote a culture of fact-checking and accountability in Nigeria.

Key points

• A video of a youth rally in Abuja, which showed a crowd chanting Peter Obi's name, was actually from a 2022 Labour Party rally in Calabar, Cross River State.
• A social media post falsely claimed that a UNICEF report revealed 90% of sanitary pads sold on the market are contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
• Rabiu Kwankwaso's claims about Kano State's revenue and his administration's achievements were found to be misleading based on official financial records and policy implementation dates.