Fact-check: Did FBI Uncover $6bn, Pre-written 2027 Election Result For Tinubu at Wike’s London Home?

Fact-check: Did FBI Uncover $6bn, Pre-written 2027 Election Result For Tinubu at Wike’s London Home?

There’s a claim making the rounds online and on social media platforms that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has uncovered $6 billion in cash and documents allegedly detailing the results of the 2027 presidential election at the London residence of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesome Wike. 

The text accompanying the image which has Arise News TV as its source reads in parts:

“Breaking News: FBI Uncovers $6 Billion at Ex-Governor Wike’s London house with Already written 2027 election result for Tinubu.”

The claim has generated varied reactions online and across social media platforms, with many questioning the authenticity of the alleged discovery.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating domestic and international crimes, including money laundering and electoral fraud. 

However, it is important to note that the FBI’s primary jurisdiction is within the United States, and any international investigations would typically be conducted in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies or through international partnerships.

To verify the claims, PRNigeria fact-check team conducted a reverse image and keyword search. This led to the discovery of a related claim dated August 30, 2023 with the caption: ‘BREAKING NEWS: 4 Billion CFA ($6.6m) Cash found at the residence of Yann Ngoulou, Chief of Staff to Nourredine Bongo, son of ousted Gabonese President Ali Bongo.’ The caption also included the hashtags ‘#viralvideo #Esther Togo Gabon ENZO PETER OBI Wike #bubagirl’.

However, PRNigeria‘s fact-check findings revealed that the claim trending on social media platforms was actually a repost of a fact-check report from June 9, 2023, updated on July 31, 2023.

The original report by FactCheck.org concerned the FBI indictment of former US President Donald Trump. According to the report, on June 9, 2023, the Department of Justice unsealed a 44-page indictment against Trump, detailing allegations of mishandling sensitive classified documents after leaving office and obstructing federal officials who attempted to retrieve them.

It was the images from the indictment report that were intentionally photoshoped with Wike’s picture, alleging that the materials in the picture contained foreign currencies, including 2027 election results. 

Another media report also gave clarification on the trending claims about the FCT Minister. According to the report titled, “Clarification on Reports Regarding FBI Allegations Against Former Governor Wike Amidst Trump Document Leak,” the report stated:

“These baseless allegations against Wike come at a time when the Department of Justice in the United States has taken significant steps in its investigation into the handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, the Florida residence of former President Donald Trump.”

Further tracing the source accredited to the claim, PRNigeria findings revealed a bogus Facebook group with about 72k dubbed “Arise News TV” which has Arise TV’s logo as a background picture but has no connection to the actual Arise TV News channel.

Conclusion

Findings by PRNigeria revealed that photos of former US President Donald Trump encounter with the FBI was used to portray a misleading claim about Wike. PRNigeria therefore concludes that the claims alleging that the FBI raided Nyesom Wike’s London residence, discovered $6billion in cash and pre-written 2027 poll results in favor of Tinubu is false.

By PRNigeria