How AI-Generated Tinubu Voice and Edited VDM Video Triggered Presidency’s Call for Prosecution
The Nigerian Presidency has called for legal action against social media critic VeryDarkMan following the circulation of an alleged AI-generated audio and edited video purportedly linked to Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The controversy reportedly began after a viral video surfaced online showing VeryDarkMan allegedly playing a voice note said to contain the president’s voice making controversial political comments.
According to reports, the audio was widely suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence voice-cloning technology designed to imitate Tinubu’s voice.
Reacting to the development, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga reportedly condemned the circulation of the clip and called for prosecution of the activist.
Onanuga described the alleged circulation of the audio as an “egregious abuse” of social media and insisted that VeryDarkMan should “face the weight of the law.”
However, the controversy quickly became more complicated after several reports claimed that the viral clip may itself have been misleadingly edited.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju reportedly argued that the controversial content was not originally posted on VeryDarkMan’s verified social media platforms.
VeryDarkMan later reacted publicly, denying responsibility for creating the alleged fake audio and accusing authorities of unfairly targeting him.
In a video response, the activist reportedly questioned why government officials reacted swiftly to the AI controversy while insecurity and kidnappings continued affecting Nigerians.
The incident has reignited wider debates about artificial intelligence, misinformation, edited media, and political propaganda in the digital age.
Many Nigerians online expressed concern over how easily AI-generated voices and manipulated videos can now spread across social media and influence public opinion.
Some users argued that stronger digital verification systems and media literacy are urgently needed to combat misinformation.
Others warned that AI-generated political content could become increasingly dangerous ahead of future elections and political campaigns.
Technology experts have repeatedly cautioned that deepfake videos and cloned voices are becoming more sophisticated and difficult for ordinary users to detect.
The controversy surrounding Tinubu and VeryDarkMan therefore became another major example of growing fears around AI-powered misinformation in politics.
Several online commentators also questioned whether authorities should focus more on identifying the actual creators of manipulated content rather than only targeting individuals accused of sharing it.
The situation has continued generating heated reactions across political and social media spaces, with supporters and critics of both the presidency and VeryDarkMan sharply divided.
As discussions continue, the controversy has once again highlighted the increasing role artificial intelligence, edited media, and digital misinformation now play in shaping political narratives and public discourse in Nigeria.
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