BY: Mustapha Lawal
Claim
The NTA correspondent attached to the Edo State government house, Goodluck Enaini, was arrested following Governor Okpebholo’s budget broadcast gaffe.
Verdict
False. The journalist, Goodluck Enaini, debunked the arrest claim via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Full Text
A viral claim circulating on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that Goodluck Enaini, an NTA correspondent attached to the Edo State government house, was arrested over a budget broadcast gaffe by Governor Okpebholo.
The claim was published by a site called Truth Live News and subsequently amplified by users on platforms like Nairaland and X.
The incident in question stemmed from Governor Monday Okpebholo’s budget presentation for the 2024 fiscal year, during which he reportedly misstated certain figures.
The mistake sparked controversy online, with critics accusing the governor of incompetence. In defence, Edo State APC chairman Jarrett Tenebe argued that the governor’s error was an indication of his transparency, stating:
“Governor Okpebholo made that budget error because he is not a thief. He has no reason to manipulate figures, unlike others who pad budgets for personal gain. Transparency is what matters.”
The controversy over the gaffe soon led to misinformation, including allegations that Goodluck Enaini, who covered the event, had been arrested for his role in broadcasting the flawed budget speech.
Social media users amplified these claims, further fueling speculation. Given the sensitivity of such allegations, FactCheckAfrica investigated the claim to ascertain its veracity.
Verification
In verifying the claim, FactCheckAfrica found Goodluck Enaini’s post via his X handle, @Goodluck_Enaini, where he categorically denied the speculation of his alleged arrest, stating:
“My name is Goodluck Enaini, the @NTANewsNow reporter attached to @EdoStateGovt house in Benin city. Against the news making the rounds, l would like to state that l was not arrested by any government official. I worked up to 8 pm yesterday at the @EdoStateGovt house interacting with @cpsedostate and The SA media cordially. The news is false and should be disregarded please”
“Stop spreading fake news and propaganda ” he added in the thread of his tweet (post).
Moreover, neither the Edo State government nor the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) issued any statement confirming the journalist’s arrest.
Conclusion
The claim that Goodluck Enaini, the NTA correspondent attached to the Edo State government house, was arrested over Governor Okpebholo’s budget broadcast gaffe is false. The journalist has denied the claim, and no credible evidence supports the allegations.
