Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant on Media to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recently shared two contrasting images on X (formerly Twitter) to compare water transportation under Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In one image, Obi is seen in a wooden canoe in a flood-ravaged area. The second image shows Governor Sanwo-Olu aboard a modern watercraft. Olusegun captioned the post: “Water transportation in Anambra under Obi Vs Water Transportation in Lagos under Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”
As of April 29, 2025, the post had received over 400 reposts and more than 1,000 likes.
CLAIM
That the image of Peter Obi in a canoe was taken during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.
Peter Obi served as governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014 under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The viral image, however, was not taken during his time in office.
A reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub revealed that the photo was taken in October 2022, eight years after he left office, during a visit to flood victims in Anambra State. At the time, Obi was a presidential candidate under the Labour Party for the 2023 general election. His emergence as a presidential candidate sparked the rise of the “Obidient” movement, driven largely by young Nigerians seeking political change. Although he lost the election, the movement contributed in reshaping conversations around youth participation in the civic space.
In 2022, Anambra was one of several Nigerian states devastated by severe flooding. The floods displaced thousands and led to the creation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Obi visited the Umueri Unity Hall in Anambra East, where some flood victims were sheltered. He toured affected communities by boat, accompanied by LP officials and community leaders, including Chief Metchie. During the visit, he donated food and medical supplies, and expressed solidarity with the victims.
The visit came shortly after a tragic boat accident claimed the lives of at least 76 people in the state. Obi publicly mourned the victims and offered his condolences.
VERDICT
The claim that the image shows flooding under Obi’s leadership in Anambra is MISLEADING, as findings show that the image has been online since 2022, eight years after he left the office.
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.