Florence Ajimobi, widow of former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and an ambassador-designate, has denied a viral video in which she was allegedly heard declaring a “head-on war” against Governor Seyi Makinde and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
The 47-second video, which circulated widely on social media platforms, sparked political tension and intense public debate after it appeared to show Ajimobi addressing a gathering and making combative statements suggesting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would deploy federal power and resources to confront the ruling PDP in the state.
In a statement issued by her media office on Monday, Ajimobi described the video as fabricated, insisting it was produced using artificial intelligence technology. The statement said forensic analysis confirmed that both the audio and visual elements of the clip were digitally manipulated, including voice cloning and lip-sync alteration, to create a false narrative.
“This content did not originate from Mrs. Ajimobi, nor does it reflect her views or political position,” the statement said, warning that the growing use of AI-generated misinformation poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic process. Her office added that legal action against those responsible for creating and disseminating the video was being considered.
Before the denial, the video had been shared by several political blogs and pages, raising concerns about escalating political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections. The clip triggered strong reactions online, with some users condemning the perceived call to political confrontation, while others questioned its authenticity.
Following Ajimobi’s rebuttal, reactions remained mixed, with skepticism persisting in some quarters despite the clarification. Political observers note that the controversy underscores how quickly manipulated digital content can inflame public opinion and shape political narratives before verification.
Media organisations, including national and regional outlets, reported both the viral video and Ajimobi’s response, with analysts warning that the incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of Nigeria’s political space to deepfake technology.
Experts say the episode reflects a broader challenge facing the country as it approaches another election cycle, noting that even when fabricated content is exposed, the reputational and political damage may already have been done.
