News
🔊DEBUNKER New Edition: July 18
First up – Is INEC conducting house-to-house voter registration in Northern Nigeria?
A VIRAL photo of a woman who appears to be undergoing biometric capturing in front of her residence has surfaced online with a claim that it shows an officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducting voter’s registration for the woman.
The photo is circulating following allegations on social media that the INEC is conducting house-to-house voter registration for citizens in Nigeria’s Northern region unlike what’s obtainable in other parts of the country where citizens jostle for registration at INEC-approved centers only.
THE FINDINGS
When the image was subjected to multiple reverse image searches, the results show that the photo did not originate from any credible media platform.
Also, using some keywords on the Google search engine, the result shows that no credible media platform reported that the INEC conducted or is conducting house-to-house voter registration in any part of the country.
When contacted the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi clarified that the claim is false.
“Our officials do not and cannot embark on a house-to-house distribution of PVCs. That is against our official policy,” he said.
Conclusion
The claim that INEC is conducting house-to-house voter registration in Northern Nigeria is FALSE; as the INEC debunked the claim while further findings show that no credible media platform reported such exercise
Next stop, How factual is a photo of Kwankwaso’s supporters as he visits’ Gombe state?
A Twitter user, Engr Musa Jameel, with the username @jameel2024, who shared the image on Twitter on July 2, 2022, claimed that the picture is that of the crowd that welcomed Kwankwaso to Gombe State.
Verification
Although Kwankwaso visited Gombe state on Saturday, July 2, to commission the Gombe State party office of the NNPP, according to the Independent newspaper’s report, the image shared to show forth the crowd that welcomed him is, however, old.
A Google Reverse Image Search conducted on the image revealed that it has been on the internet since 2018.
Further findings revealed that the photo is that of the crowd that thronged the venue where Kwankwaso declared the presidential bid in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on August 29, 2018.
The claim that the photo showed the crowd that welcomed Kwankwaso to Gombe State is MISLEADING; the photo is of the crowd that thronged the Abuja venue where Kwankwaso declared his presidential bid on August 29, 2018.
Did PDP sack Iyorchia Ayu as its national chairman?
Recently, a news report circulated online with a claim that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),has sacked Senator Iyorchia Ayu as its National Chairman.
A Twitter user, LMAN with the username @L_man__, claimed that the PDP has sacked the party chairman for misappropriation.
He added that the party has appointed its Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Damagum as its acting chairman.
PDP’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, in a statement revealed that he is currently on a two-week leave and It was in that acting capacity thatDamagum presided over the inauguration of the Osun State Gubernatorial Campaign Council, headed by the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, H.E. Douye Diri.
Conclusion
The claim that the PDP has sacked Senator Iyorchia Ayu as its national chairman and appointed Umar Damagum in his place is FALSE; as findings show that Damagum was acting in the party’s chairmanship capacity, while Ayu was away on leave.
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On December 10, 2024, a claim began spreading rapidly on social media. It originated from various blogs and posts on X (formerly known as Twitter). The posts boldly declared:
“COVID-19 Variant XEC has been detected in Nigeria.”
This alarming claim quickly gained traction, sparking panic and heated debates across online platforms. Nigerians questioned its authenticity, with many wondering if this was a credible health alert or just another instance of misinformation.
To uncover the truth, we turned to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for clarification.
The Facts:
The Federal Ministry of Health has categorically debunked the claim. In an official statement, the Ministry confirmed:
“There is no evidence of the COVID-19 variant XEC in Nigeria.”
While it’s true that this variant has been reported in 29 countries globally, Nigeria is not among them.
Government Preparedness:
Despite the false nature of the claim, the Nigerian government has reinforced its readiness to tackle potential health threats. Key measures include:
- Enhanced Border Surveillance: Increased monitoring at all entry points to detect any potential cases early.
- Healthcare Facilities: Laboratories, isolation centers, and intensive care units have been set up to ensure uninterrupted healthcare.
- Public Health Awareness: Citizens are urged to follow universal precautions, such as frequent handwashing and maintaining proper hygiene.
The Verdict:
So, is the claim that the COVID-19 variant XEC has been detected in Nigeria true?
The answer is FALSE.The Ministry of Health has reassured Nigerians that the country remains vigilant, with systems in place to address any emerging health risks. However, no evidence supports the presence of the variant XEC in Nigeria at this time.
A viral video circulating on TikTok has sparked widespread concern. The video claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plans to phase out old naira notes, rendering them invalid as legal tender by December 31, 2024. According to the video, Nigerians must exchange their old naira notes for new ones before the alleged deadline or risk losing their value.
This alarming claim has raised questions: Is this true?
The Investigation:
To clarify the matter, we turned to official sources, and here’s what we found:
On Friday, December 13, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a statement debunking the rumor. Hakama Ali, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, reiterated that both the old and redesigned naira notes of the N1,000, N500, and N200 denominations will remain legal tender indefinitely.
The CBN’s statement referenced a Supreme Court ruling delivered on November 29, 2023, which affirmed that all versions of the affected denominations can circulate concurrently without any deadline. This judgment overrides earlier speculations of a phase-out, putting the rumor to rest.
The Facts:
- CBN Statement: The CBN has categorically dismissed the claim of a December 31, 2024, deadline for phasing out old naira notes.
- Supreme Court Ruling: The ruling allows the continuous use of both old and redesigned naira notes, ensuring they remain legal tender indefinitely.
- Lack of Credible Evidence: No official announcements or credible reports have supported the viral claim.
The Verdict:
So, does the CBN plan to scrap old naira notes by December 31, 2024?
The answer is FALSE.The Central Bank of Nigeria has clarified that all versions of the N1,000, N500, and N200 naira notes will remain valid for transactions indefinitely. The Supreme Court ruling ensures that Nigerians can use either version without restrictions or deadlines.
Skin whitening, a trend primarily driven by a desire for lighter skin tones, has gained alarming popularity in many West African countries, with new forms emerging, including skin-whitening injections. These injections are particularly prevalent in countries like Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Niger, and Senegal. Promoted via social media and word of mouth, these injections promise fast, uniform skin lightening. However, concerns over their safety and authenticity are on the rise
.
The Practices:
Injections, often touted for their quick effects, are gaining traction, especially among wealthier, younger women in these countries. A study by AFP revealed that skin-whitening injections, often containing glutathione (a powerful antioxidant used in cancer treatment), are now administered by both professionals and individuals themselves, sometimes at home. These injections are marketed to promise rapid, long-lasting results, a claim supported by some, yet dismissed by many experts.
The Facts: Despite the rapid spread of these injections, experts warn of severe health risks. Skin-lightening products in West Africa—whether in cream or injectable form—are linked to a host of serious conditions. In Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has declared skin lightening a national health emergency due to risks like skin cancer, renal toxicity, diabetes, and hypertension from products containing hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and mercury.
In Ghana and Nigeria, many among the population useskin lightening products, leading to conditions like dermatitis, acne, and skin thinning, with more severe issues such as kidney failure being documented after prolonged use. Similarly, Senegal sees high rates of skin-lightening cream use, resulting in numerous skin conditions due to prolonged exposure to these substances.
The Verdict:
Investigations by the French news agency, AFP, uncovered that many of these skin-whitening injections are not what they claim to be. A lab analysis of one popular product in Ivory Coast revealed that it contained no whitening agents at all and experts such as dermatologist Sarah Kourouma have confirmed that many injections contain steroids and other substances, which can cause serious side effects like depigmentation, diabetes, and hypertension. In some cases, improper administration can lead to severe infections due to unsanitary needles, the AFP reports.
Further investigations by authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ghanaian Ministry of Health have confirmed that these glutathione injections, popular in the market, pose significant health risks, including liver and kidney damage, nervous system toxicity, and even the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis. A lab test in Paris revealed that some batches of these injections contained nothing but vitamins and sugars, further exposing the fraudulent nature of many products marketed as skin-whitening solutions.
Conclusion:
The claim that skin-whitening injections in West Africa are safe and genuine is FALSE. These products are often unregulated and poorly supervised thus posing significant health risks, from chronic illnesses to infections. It is crucial that consumers seek medical advice and avoid unproven and dangerous cosmetic procedures.
“Skin Whitening Injections, Naira Note Rumors & COVID-19 XEC in Nigeria – Debunker Ep. 96”
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