Nigerian-based news editor and journalist, Solomon Ndahi, has disclosed that most of the videos circulating on social media from the Nigeria election are untrue.
According to him, Nigeria has been suffering from the menace of fake news for decades, which has made people have negative thoughts about the country.
“One thing I want people around the world to know is that Nigeria has been suffering from the menace of fake news, which is more present because of this election, over the last two to three years, particularly this year, when there is so much fake news,” he disclosed.
Mr. Ndahi told Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show in an exclusive interview that journalists should realize their role in national development and avoid broadcasting false tales that could destabilize the country.
“Of course there is freedom of speech, and information is good to disseminate, but do not come out to circulate what you are not sure of because that is fake news,” he mentioned.
“You could remember what happened in Rwanda in 1984; it was fake news that led to the horrible and unforgiving genocide, so a lot of the information people have been saying about Nigeria now is fake,” he added.
He revealed that some of the videos that were circulating in the media space during the elections were fake, alleging that some persons are just trying to spread falsehood in an attempt to create tension; therefore, “the international community should watch out for those.”
General elections were held in Nigeria on February 25, 2023, to elect the president and vice president, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is ineligible to run, being term-limited. This election was seen as the tightest race since the end of military rule in 1999.
Saturday’s voting was marred by long delays at polling stations, as well as scattered reports of ballot-box snatching and attacks by armed men, especially in southern areas, where Mr. Obi has strong backing.
Early results from Nigeria’s tightest election since the end of military rule in 1999 have begun to trickle in. Official results from south-western Ekiti state suggest that governing party candidate Bola Tinubu has won a comfortable victory in one of his strongholds. Additional findings will not be made public until 10:00 GMT. Following major delays and attacks on polling places on Saturday, voting in various areas of the country was postponed until Sunday.
By:Miriam Akuetteh
