FactCheck Africa, Partners Deploys TruthGuard to Fight Fake News Ahead of Osun 2026 Election
FactCheckAfrica, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Oroki Hub, and Legis360 have partnered to establish the TruthGuard Election Integrity and Misinformation Situation Room ahead of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.
In the statement signed by Abideen Olasupo, the Founder of FactCheck Africa, the initiative aims to monitor, verify, and counter electoral misinformation, fake news, and manipulated media before, during, and after the voting period.
Guarding the Digital Space Against Manipulation
The TruthGuard Situation Room brings together fact-checkers, digital investigators, researchers, and media experts to track suspicious claims and digital interference.
The team will focus on identifying AI-generated deepfakes, cloned audio, recycled videos, and manipulated screenshots designed to deceive voters. The initiative will also monitor targeted online harassment against women in politics, journalists, and electoral observers.
Delivering Verified Facts Directly to Voters
To keep the public informed, the coalition will regularly publish fact-check reports, debunk graphics, and voter education content.
Speaking on the launch of the project, Abideen Olasupo, Founder of FactCheckAfrica, emphasized the necessity of real-time monitoring in modern elections:
“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,” he stated.“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.”
Empowering Citizens to Verify Before Sharing
Beyond real-time fact-checking, the initiative focuses on voter responsibility, encouraging citizens to critically evaluate claims before forwarding them on social media.
“Our message to citizens is simple: pause, verify, and #CheckBeforeYouShare,” Olasupo added. “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.”
Direct Access to Verification Services
The partner organizations are encouraging voters, civic groups, and journalists to actively report suspicious messages, viral images, or manipulated media. Citizens can send claims directly to the TruthGuard Situation Room via its dedicated WhatsApp hotline at +2348128575778 for independent verification.
Voters seeking guidance on election rules, polling locations, or official updates can consult regional electoral commission resources or check independent voter portals.
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