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| - A VIRAL claim on the internet says Segun Oni, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the ongoing Ekiti governorship election, holding today, has withdrawn from the gubernatorial race.
The claim alleged that the former party chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had aligned his support for the PDP candidate, Bisi Kolawole.
It came in a two-page letter dated Friday, June 17, 2022 and was purportedly sent from Oni’s Office as well as signed by him.
READ: Ekiti Decides 2022: How true is the claim that ADP candidate stepped down for Segun Oni?
Oni, who was a former governor of the state, had on February 5, 2022, announced his defection from the PDP to the SDP and his intention to participate in the governorship election of Ekiti state.
The letter (archived here) which was retrieved from a Twitter user “Alpha male-74” with the username, @OtuBamArujeje has been widely circulated on Twitter and generated reactions from the early hours of Saturday’s election.
Attached with it is a caption that reads, ” Segun Oni withdraw from #EkitiDecides2022 race”.
CLAIM
“Segun Oni withdraws from Ekiti governorship race, declares support for PDP candidate, Bisi Kolawole”.
Downloaded copy of the two-page viral letter
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
In a disclaimer issued by the Spokesperson of the SDP in Ekiti state, Gani Salau, it reaffirmed Oni’s active participation in the governorship race, stressing that the former governor has not withdrawn nor declared support for any other candidate.
“The letter is a figment of the imagination of the opposition,” he told The Cable Newspaper.
“Segun Oni is not withdrawing. How can he withdraw on the day of the election? It is the work of the opposition. We are on the verge of victory, and we are going to triumph. It is unfortunate that such a letter is being circulated,” he noted.
Other media organizations such as Daily Trust and The Sun have also reported the dismissal of the claim from the Ekiti Chapter of the Social Democratic Party.
ALSO READ: How misinformation almost marred 2022 Ekiti governorship election
Similarly, the House of Assembly candidate, Babajide Akomolafe, who is contesting under the platform of the SDP, also dismissed the claim via a telephone conversation with The FactCheckHub.
“It’s a lie. He has not withdrawn,” he said.
“I have also spoken with Dare Bejide, his campaign Director-General. It’s not true,” he reaffirmed.
THE VERDICT
Based on available public records, the claim that Segun Oni withdrew from the Ekiti governorship race and declared support for the PDP candidate, Bisi Kolawole, is FALSE.
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