Daud Olatunji
As the gubernatorial election in Edo State approaches, political tensions have heightened, fueled by a wave of fake news targeting key players in the contest.
With over 2 million registered voters set to decide the next governor on Saturday, the stakes are high for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) candidates, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
One of the most significant developments occurred when Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, was the subject of widespread rumours claiming he had withdrawn from the race.
These rumours, which circulated across various media platforms, suggested Akpata had stepped down in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, a move that Akpata vehemently denied.
In a statement issued on Friday, Akpata refuted the claims, describing them as the “handiwork of fraudulent politicians” attempting to manipulate the election.
“The notion that I would step down on the eve of the election, after the overwhelming support received from the good people of our state, borders on delusion,” Akpata stated.
He reassured his supporters that he remains firmly in the race and vowed to expose those behind the forgery.
The LP candidate further called on INEC to conduct a credible and transparent election, highlighting the unique opportunity an off-cycle election provides for focused oversight by the commission.
The APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has also faced his own challenges with disinformation.
A fake document that circulated online claimed that a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) court had disqualified him from the race over allegations of age falsification.
The document, which quickly gained traction on social media, was later debunked by the presiding magistrate, Abubakar Mukhtar, who described it as “false and misleading.”
Mukhtar clarified that while Okpebholo had been summoned to defend himself against allegations of discrepancies in his submitted birth dates, no judgment had been passed, and the case was still pending.
“The allegations of age falsification and forgery against Okpebholo are currently under investigation,” Mukhtar said, warning that those responsible for spreading the false judgment could face imprisonment under Nigerian law.
Meanwhile, INEC has also found itself in the crosshairs of political controversy, particularly regarding the role of Edo’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha.
Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the PDP in Edo, had called for Onuoha’s removal, citing his familial ties to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Aziegbemi questioned Onuoha’s ability to remain impartial, alleging that his connection to Wike, a key political figure, could undermine the integrity of the election.
However, Onuoha has dismissed these claims, asserting that his relationship with Wike has no bearing on his competence.
Speaking on Friday, Onuoha challenged his detractors to provide evidence of any wrongdoing.
“I challenge all the political parties in Edo State to tell me what I have done wrong so far. I am ready for the Edo election, and I will not favor any political party,” he said.
Onuoha emphasized that his appointment had gone through due process, including a Senate screening, and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring a free and fair election in Edo State.
INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, backed Onuoha, urging political parties to focus on the electoral process rather than personal attacks on the REC. Oyekanmi reassured the public that the election would be conducted transparently, with all necessary measures in place to ensure its credibility.
As the political atmosphere in Edo State remains charged, the spread of fake news has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the election. Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, has identified eight local government areas in the state as violence hotspots, warning of potential disruptions on election day. The group noted patterns of thuggery, intimidation, and the proliferation of small arms in these areas, further complicating the electoral landscape.
Despite these challenges, INEC remains confident in its preparations for the election.
Onuoha disclosed that sensitive materials had been distributed to local government areas ahead of the poll, with all stakeholders, including party agents, on the ground to inspect the materials.
“We asked if they had any reservations, and they said they were satisfied with everything they saw,” Onuoha noted.
With just hours to go before the polls open, the people of Edo State are poised to make a crucial decision that will shape the state’s political future.
However, the impact of misinformation and attempts to undermine the credibility of candidates and the electoral body itself has cast a shadow over the process.
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