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Alleges Plot to Provoke Muslims against President
- Safiu Kehinde
The Presidency has dismissed a video showing President Bola Tinubu kneeling before a Pastor.
In what was described as deepfake video overlaid with fake audio, the presidency alleged plot to weaponise religion for politics and provoke Muslims against Tinubu.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the State House’s Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy.
According to the statement, the video was made as a dangerous emotional bait across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups in an attempt to divide Nigerians for political gain.
“We are aware of yet another deliberate attempt to weaponise religion for politics across various online platforms.
“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.
“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.” The statement partly read.
While reaffirming Tinubu’s religious profile as a devoted Muslim, the presidency however reiterated his stance that both Christianity and Islam share common values rooted in compassion, sacrifice, justice, peace, and love for humanity.
“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. His position has always been clear: Nigeria belongs to Christians, Muslims, and citizens of every faith and background who believe in peace, progress, and national unity.
“In his 2026 Lent and Ramadan message, President Tinubu reminded Nigerians that both Christianity and Islam share common values rooted in compassion, sacrifice, justice, peace, and love for humanity.” It said.
The presidency urged members of the public to reject what it labelled as divisive propaganda and attempts to destabilise national cohesion through digitally amplified disinformation.
“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.
“We urge citizens to reject divisive propaganda, verify information before sharing, and remain vigilant against attempts to destabilise national cohesion through digitally amplified disinformation.
“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.” The statement read further.