As the people of Osun State prepare for the 2026 Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 15 August 2026, FactCheckAfrica, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), Oroki Hub and Legis360 have partnered to deploy the TruthGuard Election Integrity and Misinformation Situation Room (#OsunDecides2026) to monitor, verify and respond to election-related misinformation and disinformation before, during and immediately after the election.
The initiative is designed to strengthen access to credible and timely electoral information by tracking emerging narratives, suspicious claims, manipulated content, recycled photographs and videos, AI-generated media, hate speech and other forms of information disorder that could mislead citizens, heighten tensions or undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Through the TruthGuard Situation Room, the partners will bring together fact-checkers, researchers, digital investigators, media professionals, data analysts and civic actors to monitor the information environment across social media and other relevant channels, verify emerging claims and provide citizens and other stakeholders with timely, evidence-based information.
The initiative will publish verification reports, fact-check articles, debunk graphics, explanatory content and voter education materials while working with journalists, community organisations, civil society groups, digital influencers and other information stakeholders to amplify verified information and promote responsible information sharing.
A particular focus of the Situation Room will be the monitoring of AI-generated and manipulated content, including deepfake videos, cloned voices, manipulated images, fabricated screenshots and recycled media presented as current events. The initiative will also monitor technology-facilitated gender-based violence and coordinated online attacks targeting women in politics, journalists, election observers and other civic actors.
Speaking on the partnership, Abideen Olasupo, Founder of FactCheckAfrica, said the initiative responds to the changing nature of electoral information and the need for stronger collaboration among civic and media organisations.
“The information environment has become an increasingly important part of the electoral process. False claims, recycled content and AI-generated media can spread rapidly and influence public perception before citizens have an opportunity to establish what is true. Through TruthGuard, we are bringing together complementary expertise and networks to ensure that citizens have access to timely, independent and evidence-based information throughout the Osun election.”
He added that the initiative would encourage citizens to take greater responsibility for the information they consume and share.
“Our message to citizens is simple: pause, verify and #CheckBeforeYouShare. We want citizens to have the information they need to make informed decisions, while ensuring that misinformation and deliberately manipulated content do not become drivers of tension or violence.”
Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Oroki Hub and Legis360 will support the initiative through their respective civic, community, youth, digital and governance networks, strengthening the reach of verified election information and facilitating collaboration among citizens and other stakeholders.
The partners encourage citizens, journalists, election observers, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to report suspicious election-related claims, manipulated media, suspected deepfakes, recycled videos and other potentially misleading content through the TruthGuard reporting channels for independent verification.
As Osun State heads to the polls, FactCheckAfrica, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Oroki Hub and Legis360 reaffirm their commitment to supporting an informed electorate, peaceful democratic participation and a credible information environment throughout the 2026 Osun Governorship Election. Citizens can share suspicious claims, messages, images, videos or election-related information with the TruthGuard Situation Room for verification via its WhatsApp hotline: +2348128575778
Signed,
Abideen Olasupo
Founder, FactCheckAfrica
For and on behalf of the TruthGuard partner organisations
For more information and to report suspicious election-related content:
Email: factcheckelections@gmail.com Phone: +234 706 877 5529 Website: https://factcheckafrica.net/
