FACT-CHECK: Did Pastors, Imams Jointly Lead ‘EndBadGovernance’ Protest  in Jos?

FACT-CHECK: Did Pastors, Imams Jointly Lead ‘EndBadGovernance’ Protest  in Jos?

A footage has emerged on WhatsApp platforms, claiming that Imams and pastors  in Jos, Plateau State led a hunger protest against President Tinubu’s government.

The men mostly wore black clothes with Christian symbols — a cross on their necks — alongside an elderly man in Hausa traditional regalia. They held hands while protesting in an organised procession. 

PRNigeria broke the video into frames and conducted a reverse image search.

The results reveal that the video was actually of the Plateau Peace Walk, led by CAN Chairman Rev. Polycarp Lubo and joined by Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya, President of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and other prominent Christian leaders in January 2024. They rallied to express discontent over the killings of over 200 people on the eve of Christmas in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas.

The rally, which was participated by a large number of Christian followers and supported by grieving residents, culminated at the Government House in Jos, where Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang received the crowd.

The Christian leaders, wielding placards, called for decisive government action and protection against aggressors.

Another investigation also reveals that the footage had been published on X by different users, with the “Plateau Peace Walk Led by Christian Leaders,” hashtagging #StopTheKillings.

PRNigeria could hear the voices of the congregants singing a choral song in Hausa as they wave the green leaves they were holding.

CONCLUSION: Based on the facts gathered by PRNigeria, Imams and pastors did not jointly lead an ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest in Jos, Plateau State.

However, what the claimant saw as a protest was a peace walk against the killings of hundreds of people on the eve of Christmas in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas.

Therefore, PRNigeria concludes that the claim of a joint protest against Tinubu’s government by religious leaders in the state is blatantly false.

By PRNigeria