As the nationwide protest kicks off today August 1, the #EndBadGovernment protest has become the major subject matter of discussion across social media.
The protest is targeted to demonstrate people’s dissatisfaction over the ongoing hardships in Nigeria; hunger, corruption and insecurity among other things.
However, some social media users are exploiting the campaign to spread misinformation online.
Hence, in a period like this, unverified claims can intensify tension that will lead to unrest. This reporter conducted this fact-check to set the records straight.
Claim
A post circulating by an online influencer @Mrs Zanga has surfaced on X (formerly Twitter). The post showed a picture of women that gathered at the Eagle Square Arena, Abuja, protesting against people planning a nationwide protest, and another video of alleged APC agents distributing cash to people was aligned with it. This post was tagged with a caption “how it started vs how it ended”.
The post has generated over 451,000 views, 310 comments, 4,100 likes, 2,500 reposts and 535 bookmarks.
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@Chimacoeche for instance said: “Chai! Just work hard, make APC no use hunger turn you to a beggar.”
Another user, @jayzee85960763 commented: “Who be that man wey Dey wear blue wey Dey for back. His suffering much aje. U see Nigerians Dey like sufferings so I won’t blame them…I decide to sell your right for 5k…chai.”
Similarly, @KelechiE said: “When will Nigerians learn? The guy sharing that money should have been grabbed and panelled for this insensitive act.”
Verification
Findings showed that the post is misleading.
A verification by reverse image search showed that the picture is true, as several reliable Nigerian media platforms reported the news on Monday, 29th July, 2024.
However, the video is contradictory to the picture. While the picture showed women staging a protest at Abuja, as they held banners with “say no to protest”. The video does not show the aftermath of the staged protest by the women.
When some of the screenshot clips from the video were subjected to reverse image search, it was revealed that News Direct had published an article with the video clip on Monday, 29th July, 2024, titled “Viral Video Shows APC Agents Distributing Money to Residents Ahead of Edo Governorship Election”.
The article alleged that the video captured several individuals believed to be agents of the All Progressive Congress (APC), as they distributed money to people ahead of the Edo gubernatorial election set for 21st September, 2024.
Also, this reporter noticed that the video showed both men and women receiving money instead of what is supposed to be only women that converged at the protest.
Verdict
Misleading! While the picture truly showed women demonstrating against the upcoming nationwide protest, the video captured some alleged APC agents distributing money to both men and women in Edo, and not the previous women.
By Muheeb Mashood
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