The Senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, Adams Oshiomhole, has described a viral video of him giving a young lady a massage inside a private jet as AI-generated.
The viral video sparked widespread reactions among Nigerians, with many condemning what they viewed as a display of luxury.
This also comes amid the country’s current economic challenges and recent comments linked to the senator about rising food prices.
In its reaction, Oshiomhole’s media office, in a statement issued on Wednesday, vehemently denied the footage’s authenticity, describing it as a poorly crafted and edited fake AI video created by individuals seeking to blackmail the former Governor and tarnish his reputation.
The statement also pointed to visible technical irregularities in the clip, particularly around the six-second mark of the roughly 30-second video, as evidence of digital manipulation and artificial intelligence interference.
Oshiomhole’s media office further urged the public to always verify contents before ignorantly ascribing aspersions on public office holders, of which the Senator is one.
The state statement titled, “AI PROPAGANDA VIDEO AGAINST COMRADE OSHIOMHOLE: A CALL FOR CAUTION” reads, “The media office of His Excellency, Senator Adams OSHIOMHOLE has noted with dismay a poorly crafted and edited fake AI video of the outstanding Senator allegedly massaging the foot of a lady. We urge the public to jettison this false narrative that is in circulation to blackmail the people’s Comrade. It is an awkward height of insensitivity by unguarded power seekers who hind under the use of false information and can go to any length in bringing down an innocent assumed enemy, which the amiable Senator is not. In fact, we urge members of the public and the media to disregard its purport comprehensively and in totality.
“This is a criminal cyber bullying and a needless attack on the personality of the Senator. And we will further investigate the publisher and the source of it. The video was clearly doctored by malicious actors aimed at maligning the reputation of the amiable Senator. In the footage, the 30-second video published by @SaharaReporters on its Facebook handle revealed intent, desperation and the decrying state of media reportage devoid of investigative professionalism. Close examination of the alleged clip, especially up till 0.6 seconds, where the lady walked through the airstairs, and the remaining 23 seconds of the alleged footage of Senator Oshiomhole, significantly revealed disparity, glaringly suggesting a contraption.
“We therefore caution members of the public to always verify contents before ignorantly ascribing aspersions on public office holders which Adams Oshiomhole is one. This antics, devised and manipulated by “obubuyeye” content creators in quest for online clicks and views to enhance the potentials of their dollar-rating pay (via online apps) is not only novel to our media space, but increasingly creating nuisance against Nigerians epecially the influencials such as Oshiomhole. This calls for urgent social media regulations by relevant authorities. While Adams Oshiomhole is not opposed to content creators, those who wish to earn a living through these newfound outlets should do so through legitimate means rather than engage in egregious practices.”
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