Following the 2023 Nigerian Presidential Election, there have been numerous reports, claims, and counter-claims on social media and other platforms. One widely circulated claim is that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, won in 19 states during the February 25 election.
However, a fact-checking organization, Dubawa, discredited this claim, stating that only 92.87% of the total 176,846 polling units had their results uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission's result-viewing platform (IReV portal) as of March 7, 2023. This means that the results of 12,613 polling units are yet to be uploaded, making it misleading to claim that Mr. Obi won in 19 states, including the FCT.
Dubawa also discredited a report by a Facebook user, Mazi Chiemena Samuel, which purportedly showed the Labour Party's victory in about 18 states, including the FCT. Dubawa stated that the report was not from the IReV portal but rather a poll conducted by Nextier on January 27, 2023. Therefore, it is crucial to verify information on social media and other platforms before accepting it as true, particularly during election periods, when emotions run high and tensions are rampant.
It is the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible, free, and fair elections in Nigeria. Citizens and stakeholders should trust the commission to do its job, including announcing the election results. Although there may be concerns and grievances, these should be addressed through legal channels rather than spreading misleading information that can cause unrest and tension in the country.
The media also play a significant role in ensuring that accurate information is disseminated to the public. Journalists and media organizations should fact-check claims before publishing them and avoid sensationalism, particularly during election periods. They should also be vigilant in their reporting, as misinformation can be spread through sources that appear credible.
Content created and supplied by: Bubutain (via Opera News )
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