Presidential aide faults VDM for sharing AI-generated Tinubu audio

Bayo Onanuga, Nigeria's Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has strongly criticized Martins Otse, known as Very Dark Man, for allegedly spreading an AI-generated audio clip falsely attributed to President Bola Tinubu. The simulated voice in the audio makes damaging claims regarding insecurity in the South-East, World Bank borrowing, and the upcoming 2027 election.

Onanuga took to his verified X account to express his condemnation, stating that Otse should face the full weight of the law for disseminating fake audio. He described the act as an "egregious abuse of the social media platform." The AI-generated audio mimics Tinubu's voice and includes assertions that insecurity in the South-East is intentional, that he had asked Peter Obi to step down in 2022, that he is indifferent to Nigerians' suffering, and that World Bank loans are being diverted to fund elections.

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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.

In a video shared with his followers, Otse played the audio and urged them to form their own conclusions. After playing the clip, he stated, "This man does not have anything to offer. Come 2027, any other option is welcome, but for me, myself and I, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot offer us anything anymore. So he should go."

This incident highlights a growing trend of AI-generated fake content targeting public officials. The Coalition for Ethical Technology and Democratic Integrity has urged the Nigerian government to criminalize AI-generated blackmail, classifying it as a national security threat and a form of cyber-terrorism, warning of its potential to undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections. The government had previously cautioned the public about such content.

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This man does not have anything to offer. Come 2027, any other option is welcome, but for me, myself and I, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot offer us anything anymore. So he should go.