Presidency warns against religious disinformation, deepfake videos

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

 

This was contained in a statement posted on Thursday via the official X handle of the Presidency and signed by the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy, State House.

 

According to the statement, manipulated and deepfake videos have recently been circulated on social media and WhatsApp platforms to portray President Bola Tinubu negatively and incite religious division among Nigerians.

 

“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.

 

“Today, it is another deepfake video falsely framed around a religious leader in a calculated attempt to provoke Muslims against the President. The pattern is becoming increasingly obvious,” the statement said.

 

The Presidency alleged that some individuals were deliberately spreading misinformation and emotional content to divide Nigerians along religious lines ahead of the political season.

 

“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,” it added.

 

The statement maintained that President Tinubu has consistently promoted religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

 

“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,” the Presidency stated.

 

It further noted that the President had repeatedly emphasised unity among Nigerians irrespective of religious or ethnic background.

 

The Presidency also referenced Tinubu’s 2026 Lent and Ramadan message, in which he highlighted shared values between Christianity and Islam, including compassion, justice, sacrifice, peace and love for humanity.

 

It urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing online content and avoid contributing to divisive narratives.

 

“Before sharing such inflammatory content, Nigerians must pause and ask one simple question: Who benefits from setting citizens of different faiths against one another? This is not faith or patriotism. Neither is it politics. This is coordinated manipulation at scale,” the statement added.

 

The Presidency warned that individuals involved in spreading false and inflammatory digital content could face investigation and prosecution under relevant laws.

 

“In line with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including provisions relating to cybercrime, incitement, public mischief, and the malicious spread of false information capable of threatening public peace and national security, relevant cases and digital actors involved in such activities will be identified and reported to the appropriate authorities for investigation and necessary action,” it stated.