Presidency warns against religious disinformation, deepfake videos

Nigeria's Presidency has issued a stern warning against coordinated attempts to leverage religion and manipulated digital content, including deepfake videos, to sow political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Presidency highlighted the circulation of such content on social media and WhatsApp groups, aimed at portraying President Bola Tinubu negatively and inciting religious division.

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Yesterday, it was a manipulated video overlaid with fake audio and false attributions intended to portray President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a negative light through the use of an influencer’s identity.

In a statement released Thursday on the official X handle of the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy, State House, the Presidency detailed instances of manipulated videos. These included content with fake audio and false attributions designed to damage Tinubu's image, as well as a deepfake video falsely framed around a religious leader to provoke Muslims against the President. The Presidency identified a pattern of "desperate actors" manufacturing outrage, distorting faith, and spreading falsehoods to divide Nigerians for political gain as the election season approaches.

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Today, it is another deepfake video falsely framed around a religious leader in a calculated attempt to provoke Muslims against the President.

The statement emphasized President Tinubu's consistent stance on religious tolerance and national unity, noting his Muslim faith, his marriage to a Christian, and his leadership of a multi-religious nation. The Presidency reiterated that Nigeria belongs to citizens of all faiths committed to peace and progress. It referenced Tinubu’s past messages highlighting shared values between Christianity and Islam, such as compassion, justice, and peace.

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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 and WhatsApp groups in an attempt to divide Nigerians for political gain.

Nigerians are urged to exercise caution and verify information before sharing, questioning who benefits from pitting citizens of different faiths against each other. The Presidency warned that spreading false and inflammatory digital content could lead to investigations under cybercrime and public safety laws. Citizens are encouraged to reject divisive propaganda, verify information, and remain vigilant against attempts to destabilize national cohesion through digitally amplified disinformation.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never hidden who he is. He is a Muslim. He is married to a Christian. He leads a multi-religious nation built on constitutional freedom of worship, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.