Nigeria Presidency threatens legal action over alleged fake Tinubu audio

Nigeria's Presidency has announced its intention to pursue legal action against social media commentator Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for allegedly circulating a fabricated audio recording falsely attributed to President Bola Tinubu. The Presidency described the audio as manipulated content designed to deceive the public and damage the president's reputation.

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This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued a stern warning via his X account, stating that VDM must "face the weight of the law" for disseminating the fake audio. Onanuga characterized the act as an "egregious abuse of the social media platform." The controversial audio clip allegedly features a voice resembling President Tinubu discussing various sensitive topics, including political opposition, insecurity in the South-east region, and plans for obtaining loans from the World Bank. Some purported segments suggest a dismissive attitude towards opposition and a strategic view of insecurity in relation to future elections.

However, the Presidency has unequivocally dismissed the recording as a fabrication intended to mislead and incite tension. Onanuga emphasized the serious threats posed by the spread of manipulated digital content to national security, democratic stability, and public trust in state institutions. While formal charges have not yet been specified, the threat signals a potential legal confrontation between the federal government and the social media influencer. As of the report's filing, VDM had not publicly responded to the allegations or the legal threat.

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After this audio that I am about to play, we will decide if they cooked the minds of Nigerians who will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 or if they are okay.

The incident highlights growing concerns about the proliferation of AI-generated misinformation and its potential impact on public discourse and governance in Nigeria. The Presidency's strong stance indicates a move towards stricter enforcement against purveyors of fake news.

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They have been trying to take me out of the position, but it’s not possible, mind you, I am winning this election, I do not care what is happening, Nigerians deserve it.