Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Abuja, Nigeria — The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute Florence Ajimobi, wife of the late former governor of Oyo State, over remarks widely circulated on social media in which she appeared to urge supporters to prepare for “war” in the build-up to the 2027 general elections. The party says the alleged comments have the potential to inflame political tension and exacerbate insecurity in the state and beyond.
The PDP’s appeal follows the circulation of a video in which Mrs. Ajimobi, who was recently appointed as an ambassador by President Bola Tinubu, was heard saying that the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) was ready for a head-on confrontation with the ruling PDP, asserting that the APC has the support and resources to challenge the opposition party in the forthcoming election. The statement described the contest as a “war” and insisted that opposing forces should prepare for a fierce political battle.
Reacting to the video, which quickly went viral, the PDP’s Assistant Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Tella Moses, described the purported remarks as “grave” and unbecoming of someone serving as an envoy of the federal government. The party said that calling on people to prepare for war, even in a political context, was insensitive and reckless at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including banditry, communal conflicts and election-related violence.
In its statement, the opposition party urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security operatives to summon Mrs. Ajimobi for questioning to ascertain her intentions and establish whether her conduct violated laws designed to protect public peace and order during political contests. The PDP also called on President Tinubu to reprimand the former first lady, arguing that such rhetoric could embolden tensions and undermine democratic engagement.
The PDP’s critique extended beyond the alleged “war” comment, portraying the remarks as symptomatic of an APC approach that prioritises political conquest over governance and the well-being of ordinary Nigerians. Party officials reiterated their call for residents to remain calm and committed to peaceful democratic processes, saying that the primary “war” ought to be against socio-economic hardships rather than between political parties.
However, Mrs. Ajimobi has denied ever making the contested remarks. In an official response posted on her social media platforms, she described the circulating video as a deepfake — a synthetic fabrication created using generative artificial intelligence — and not a genuine recording of her speech or actions. Her team said a digital forensic review confirmed that the footage had been manipulated, with lip movements and voice altered to give the impression that she spoke words she never uttered. The statement warned that such AI-generated content poses a threat to democratic discourse, particularly as Nigeria approaches a crucial election cycle.
Mrs. Ajimobi’s rebuttal emphasised her commitment to truthful engagement and respect for democratic norms, and she reserved the right to pursue legal remedies against those responsible for creating and disseminating the manipulated content. Her response also drew attention to broader concerns about misinformation and the potential use of artificial intelligence to influence political narratives and voter perceptions ahead of 2027.
The controversy has sparked a wider conversation about the role of emerging technologies in shaping political discourse, with analysts warning that deepfake videos and other forms of manipulated media could distort public understanding and erode trust if not properly verified. Meanwhile, political actors from across the spectrum have weighed in, with supporters of both major parties using the incident to advance their respective narratives about the integrity and intentions of their opponents.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the incident underscores mounting anxieties about how closely contested political battles will be, and how social media and digital misinformation could complicate efforts to maintain civility and security during the campaign period. Observers say ensuring that political communication remains grounded in verified facts and free from inflammatory or deceptive content will be vital in reducing the risk of escalating tensions at a time when the nation is already facing significant social and security challenges.
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