In October 2024, a chaotic video clip began circulating on social media, igniting outrage and confusion. The footage showed a man embroiled in a heated confrontation with a woman in London, with claims swirling that he was Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Governor of Ondo State.
But could this alarming allegation hold any truth?
At first glance, the man in the video bore a striking resemblance to Governor Aiyedatiwa. However, as viewers delved deeper, the shadows of doubt crept in. While the clip depicted a physical altercation, the true identity of the man was called into question.
In the five-minute, 17-second video, a figure in a black cap, glasses, and a hoodie could be seen in a heated exchange, with the woman accusing him of slapping her. The post accompanying the video derided the supposed governor for his behavior, declaring, “How can a sitting Governor degenerate to this gutter level? Tufiakwa!”
Swiftly, the governor’s special assistants quickly stepped in to clarify the situation. Allen Sowore, the Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, emphatically stated that the man was not Aiyedatiwa. Additionally, Sunday Abire, the governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, asserted that Aiyedatiwa had not left Nigeria since taking office in December 2023.
So, what’s the fact?On closer inspection, the man in the video lacked key physical traits of the governor, including a distinctive gap between his teeth and a different nose shape.
The conclusion? The claim that Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa assaulted a woman in London is unequivocally false, leaving only a cautionary tale of misinformation in its wake.
When President Tinubu nominated Professor Joash Amupitan as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, social media erupted. “He was Tinubu’s lawyer during the 2023 election case!” users claimed, warning that democracy was in danger. But is the outrage based on fact?
Verification: WABMA reviewed the Certified True Copies of both the Presidential Election Tribunal and Supreme Court judgments from the 2023 election petitions.
Amupitan’s name does not appear among the lawyers listed for Tinubu, Shettima, or the APC. Instead, the records show Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) — a University of Lagos law professor — as one of the legal counsels.
The similarity between the surnames Osipitan and Amupitan seems to have caused the mix-up. No court record, statement, or credible media report links Amupitan to Tinubu’s legal team.
Today, we proudly mark the 100th edition of the WABMA Fake News Debunker — published consistently in audio, video, and text formats.
This milestone is more than just a number. It is a testament to our resilience, commitment, and belief in the power of truth. For nearly two years, through changing tides and persistent challenges, we have worked tirelessly to expose misinformation, challenge disinformation, and protect the public discourse in West Africa.
Fake news undermines democracy, endangers lives, and erodes trust. That is why we have stayed the course — week after week — empowering citizens with facts, and strengthening media literacy across communities.
Thank you to every researcher, producer, presenter, and supporter who made this possible. The work continues — because truth still matters.
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In this episode, we dive deep into these viral claims to separate facts from fiction. Don’t fall for fake news—get the truth you need right here!