BY: Sonaike Peter
Claim:
A fake image purported to show Punch Newspaper publishing a report in which Peter Obi stated, “Stop ethnic profiling. Not only Igbos involved in Lagos ₦2bn Fake Drinks Burst.”
The image suggests that Obi made the statement following the discovery of a suspected counterfeit-drinks operation in Lagos State.
Verdict:
False! The statement is falsely attributed to Peter Obi in a fabricated newspaper headline. There is no evidence that Punch Newspapers published the headline or that Peter Obi made the specific statement regarding the Lagos counterfeit-drinks operation.
Full Text:
A Facebook post featured a fake Punch Newspapers logo alongside Peter Obi’s photograph and a headline reading:“Stop ethnic profiling. Not only Igbos involved in Lagos ₦2bn Fake Drinks Burst — Peter Obi.”
The accompanying text claims that Obi, identified in the graphic as a presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), warned Nigerians against turning the discovery of counterfeit drinks in Lagos into an ethnic issue.
The post was published by one Presenters Analyzer TV. Presenter Analyzer TV wrote,”Peter Obi has called for an end to ethnic profiling over the alleged ₦2 billion fake drinks bust in Lagos, stressing that the issue should not be reduced to the involvement of one ethnic group.”
It added,”The message is clear: crime should be investigated based on evidence, not ethnicity. Anyone found culpable should face the law, regardless of their background.”
However, the authenticity of the newspaper graphic and the attribution of the statement to Obi require verification.
Verification:
A search by FactCheckAfrica for the exact headline did not locate a matching report on the Punch Newspapers website or another credible publication confirming that Obi made the statement.
FactCheckAfrica confirmed that the original front page published by Punch on October 13 did not match the image circulating online.
This raises serious doubts about the authenticity of the viral graphic.
On October 13, 2026, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced that its operatives had uncovered a suspected counterfeit-drinks operation at Zamfara Plaza, within the BBA Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State.
According to a report by Punch Newspaper on October 14, 2026, products valued at more than ₦2 billion were seized during the operation. Two suspects were reportedly arrested in connection with the alleged activities.
The discovery of the suspected counterfeit-drinks facility was reported independently.
However, there is no evidence that Peter Obi commented on it in the words displayed in the fake image.
Conclusion:
The claim that Peter Obi made the statement, “Stop ethnic profiling. Not only Igbos involved in Lagos ₦2bn Fake Drinks Burst,” as reported in the fake l Punch Newspapers graphic is false.
Findings found no credible evidence that Punch published the alleged headline or that Obi made the specific statement in connection with the Lagos counterfeit-drinks operation.
Although NAFDAC’s discovery of a suspected counterfeit-drinks facility and the reported seizure of products worth more than ₦2 billion were genuine events, the viral graphic falsely links that incident to an unverified quotation attributed to Obi.
The false statement attributed to Peter Obi raises concern about the spread of false information amid the forthcoming 2027 election.
