The Presidency has raised concerns over what it described as coordinated attempts to exploit religion and manipulated digital content to create political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Thursday through the official X handle of the Presidency and signed by the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy, State House.
According to the statement, the Federal Government has observed a growing circulation of manipulated videos, deepfakes and false digital content on social media platforms and WhatsApp groups allegedly aimed at portraying President Bola Tinubu negatively and inciting religious division among Nigerians.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
The Presidency alleged that desperate political actors were deliberately using misinformation, distorted religious narratives and emotionally charged propaganda to divide Nigerians ahead of the election season.
“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 added.
The Presidency stressed that Tinubu has consistently maintained a position of religious tolerance, unity and peaceful coexistence despite attempts to portray him otherwise.
“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,” the statement said.
It further stated that the President has repeatedly affirmed that Nigeria belongs to citizens of all faiths, ethnic groups and backgrounds committed to peace and national development.
The statement also referenced Tinubu’s 2026 Lent and Ramadan message, where he reportedly highlighted shared values between Christianity and Islam, including compassion, justice, sacrifice, peace and love for humanity.
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The Presidency urged Nigerians to exercise caution and verify information before sharing inflammatory or politically charged content online.
“Before sharing such inflammatory content, Nigerians must pause and ask one simple question: Who benefits from setting citizens of different faiths against one another?” the statement noted.
“This is not faith or patriotism. Neither is it politics. This is coordinated manipulation at scale.”
The Presidency also warned that individuals responsible for spreading false and inciting digital content could face investigation and prosecution under existing cybercrime and public safety laws.
“We urge citizens to reject divisive propaganda, verify information before sharing, and remain vigilant against attempts to destabilise national cohesion through digitally amplified disinformation,” the statement said.
It added that relevant digital actors and cases linked to the spread of false information capable of threatening public peace and national security would be identified and reported to appropriate authorities for investigation and necessary action.
The statement cited provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 relating to cybercrime, incitement, public mischief and the malicious spread of false information.