Presidency Warns Over Deepfake Election Videos

The Presidency has raised concerns over what it described as coordinated attempts to use religion, manipulated videos and artificial intelligence-generated content to create political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Thursday through the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy, State House, the Presidency warned Nigerians against the increasing circulation of deepfake videos, edited recordings and false narratives allegedly designed to portray President Bola Tinubu negatively and incite religious division across the country.

According to reports gathered by RMNews360, the warning followed the emergence of multiple manipulated videos currently circulating on social media platforms and WhatsApp groups.

The Presidency alleged that one of the videos involved fake audio layered over existing footage to falsely attribute comments to the President through the identity of a social media influencer. Another video was reportedly framed around a religious leader in what officials described as a deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims against Tinubu and deepen religious mistrust among Nigerians.

The statement said the trend reflects a growing pattern of political misinformation ahead of the next election cycle.

“As the political season approaches, desperate actors will continue to manufacture outrage, distort faith, manipulate context, spread falsehoods and push dangerous emotional bait across social media platforms in an attempt to divide Nigerians for political gain,” the statement read.

The Presidency warned that misinformation campaigns driven by digital manipulation could threaten national unity and worsen existing political and religious tensions if left unchecked.

Presidency Defends Tinubu’s Record On Religious Tolerance

The State House insisted that President Tinubu has consistently promoted religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence despite repeated attempts to frame him through sectarian narratives.

According to the statement, Tinubu’s political history and public engagements demonstrate a commitment to inclusiveness in a country known for its religious and ethnic diversity.

The Presidency noted that the President has repeatedly called for unity between Christians and Muslims during national celebrations and religious observances, including Ramadan, Easter and Eid-el-Kabir messages delivered since assuming office.

Officials also pointed out that Tinubu’s family background reflects religious diversity, stating that he is a Muslim married to a Christian in a country where constitutional freedom of worship remains a core democratic principle.

According to reports gathered by RMNews360, the Presidency said attempts to weaponise religion for political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections should be rejected by Nigerians regardless of political affiliation.

The statement urged citizens to verify information before sharing online content, particularly emotionally charged videos and messages capable of provoking hostility between different religious groups.

“Citizens should pause and ask themselves who benefits from setting Nigerians of different faiths against one another,” the Presidency stated.

The government also urged religious leaders, political stakeholders and media practitioners to promote responsible communication and discourage the spread of unverified information capable of undermining public trust.

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Deepfake Threats Raise Fresh Concerns

The Presidency’s warning comes amid growing global concerns over the use of artificial intelligence tools and deepfake technology to manipulate political narratives and influence public opinion.

Deepfake technology allows users to create realistic but fabricated audio and video materials capable of imitating politicians, celebrities and public figures, making false statements appear genuine.

Experts have repeatedly warned that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence could make it increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to distinguish between authentic and manipulated content online.

According to reports gathered by RMNews360, several countries have already recorded incidents where AI-generated political content was used to spread misinformation during election periods and major political campaigns.

The Presidency warned that individuals found creating or circulating false and inflammatory digital content could face investigation under cybercrime and public safety laws.

It added that security and intelligence agencies were monitoring coordinated disinformation campaigns capable of threatening national peace and democratic stability ahead of the 2027 polls.

The statement concluded with a call for unity, urging Nigerians to reject attempts to exploit religion, misinformation and digital manipulation for political advantage.

“Nigeria’s strength lies in its unity and diversity. No political ambition should be allowed to weaponise faith, spread falsehood or divide citizens against one another,” the Presidency added.