Attached to this tweet is an image allegedly showing Raila Odinga’s coronation as a special Osun-Osogbo elder. The tweet further alleges that the invite-only event was held at a “sacred grove” along the banks of Osun River, Osogbo City, Nigeria.
Background
The sacred grove is a symbol of identity for the Yoruba people. Located on the outskirts of Osogbo, the grove is believed to be the habitation of Osun, the goddess of love and fertility. Forty shrines, sculptures, and artworks in honor of Osun and other Yoruba celestial beings are set up in the forest. The grove is also a religious site and herbal pharmacy, hosting up to 200 medicinal species.
Verification
In the claim picture, Raila’s head is not proportionate to the body.
A Google reverse image search reveals the image is from Emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa’s coronation on December 4, 1977. The throne, soldiers, and attire prove that the image is from Bokassa’s coronation and not Odinga’s alleged crowning.
Emperor Bokassa’s coronation happened in the Central African Republic. It was later renamed the Central African Empire in 1976 after Bokassa declared himself emperor.
More images reporting the same historical event were attached to articles here, here, here, and here.
Verdict
The image of Raila Odinga allegedly being crowned as a Special Osun-Osogbo Elder is FAKE.
This fact check was published by Piga Firimbi with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and African Fact-Checking Alliance.
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