A digital flyer circulating widely on social media platforms features a screenshot of former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, during an interview on Arise News. The graphic includes a red text box with a highly divisive quote claiming that he targeted “Yoruba Muslims” and labeled their religious practices as illegitimate. See it HERE
Muslim News’ verification review of the original broadcast footage found the claim to be completely false and manipulated. HERE
“The Yoruba Muslims are not practicing real Islam. Real Islam is being practiced only in the North, that’s why the president should do Sallah in Sokoto or Kano.”
| Verdict | FALSE |
|---|---|
| Context | The quote is entirely fabricated. Peter Obi’s original statement focused on promoting regional inclusion and national cohesion, making no assessment of anyone’s religious sincerity or ethnicity. |
“President Tinubu, who is a Muslim, spends his Sallah in Lagos State. If I’m President, I’ll spend my Sallah in Sokoto State with the Sultan or in Kano State. We discuss, bring everybody together and we discuss the future.”
The statement focused on bringing Nigerians together and promoting national unity. Obi did not say that Yoruba Muslims were practising an illegitimate form of Islam, nor did he claim that real Islam was confined to northern Nigeria.
Verdict
FALSE
Muslim News Nigeria’ verification review established that the viral graphic misrepresents Peter Obi’s remarks by attaching a fabricated religious statement to an unrelated discussion about national cohesion.
The original broadcast contains no evidence that Obi made the claim about Yoruba Muslims.
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