Claim
A message forwarded multiple times on WhatsApp claims that the Returning Officer for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, was arrested and detained in Abuja.
The message was circulated with the headline: “Osun Election Returning Officer, Prof Joshua Olalekan Arrested, Detained in Abuja.”
Why We Checked
The claim emerged shortly after the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election and concerns a key official involved in the conduct and declaration of the election results.
Background
Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), served as the Returning Officer for the Osun governorship election. In this role, he was responsible for declaring the final result of the election after the completion of the collation process. Reports indicate that he declared Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party winner of the August 15, 2026 election.
Given the potential of the claim to create confusion and fuel speculation about the election, it was verified.
Verification
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti, where Prof. Ogunwole serves as Vice-Chancellor, directly addressed the allegation in a statement published on its official website.
According to the university, reports that Prof. Ogunwole was arrested and detained by security agencies in Abuja were fabricated. FUOYE stated that the Vice-Chancellor “was never arrested and detained by any security agency” and had continued to carry out his official duties. The university described the circulating claim as false.
The claim also lacked supporting evidence. Although versions of the allegation were circulated on social media here and here, where it has gathered 22 comments, 19 shares, and 21 likes,
Haltfake found no official statement from the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency confirming that Prof. Ogunwole had been arrested or detained.
Furthermore, a search for credible reports did not produce independent evidence to substantiate the alleged arrest. The absence of such confirmation is particularly significant given the high-profile nature of Prof. Ogunwole’s role as the Returning Officer for the Osun governorship election.
The direct denial by his institution, combined with the lack of confirmation from any security agency or credible independent report, shows that the allegation is unsupported.
Verdict
FALSE.
The claim that the Returning Officer for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, was arrested and detained in Abuja is false. The Federal University Oye-Ekiti has officially debunked the allegation, stating that its Vice-Chancellor was neither arrested nor detained by any security agency.
Conclusion
The circulation of a claim on WhatsApp and other social media platforms does not make it true. Users should verify allegations involving election officials and other public institutions through official statements and credible, independent sources before sharing them.
