Former Edo State governor and serving senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed a viral video showing him inside a private jet with a young woman, describing the footage as an artificial intelligence (AI) fabrication designed to damage his reputation.
The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms over the past week, appears to show Oshiomhole seated comfortably in what looks like a private aircraft while a woman, described by online users as a “sugar baby,” massages his feet. The clip triggered a wave of public criticism, especially coming shortly after the senator urged Nigerians to “endure” the economic hardship resulting from recent policy reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Reacting to the controversy, Oshiomhole’s media team reportedly rejected the authenticity of the video, insisting that he was neither in a private jet nor in the company of the woman depicted. He claimed the footage was digitally manipulated using AI technology, warning that advances in deepfake tools now make it easy to fabricate realistic but false videos of public figures.
According to the senator, the video is part of a coordinated smear campaign aimed at discrediting him politically and undermining his support for the current administration’s economic policies. He argued that malicious actors are increasingly exploiting AI-generated content to mislead the public, destroy reputations and incite outrage.
“This is not me, and I was never in such a setting,” Oshiomhole was quoted as saying. “What you are seeing is the product of artificial intelligence. Anyone can now create a fake video to tarnish another person’s image.”
The former labour leader urged Nigerians to exercise caution and critical judgment when consuming viral content online, noting that not everything shared on social media reflects reality. He also called on relevant security and regulatory agencies to investigate the source of the video and take action against those behind its creation and dissemination.
The denial has further fueled public debate, with reactions sharply divided. While some supporters accepted Oshiomhole’s explanation and echoed his concerns about the dangers of AI-driven misinformation, many Nigerians remained skeptical, arguing that the video appeared too detailed to be fake. Critics demanded forensic verification and questioned why the senator had not immediately provided concrete evidence to back his claim.
The controversy has once again highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping public discourse, particularly in politically charged environments. Experts have warned that deepfake technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it harder for ordinary viewers to distinguish between genuine footage and digitally altered content.
For Oshiomhole, the incident comes at a sensitive time. His earlier comments urging Nigerians to be patient amid economic hardship had already drawn backlash from citizens struggling with inflation, high fuel prices and declining purchasing power. The private jet video, real or not, intensified perceptions of political elitism and deepened public anger toward leaders seen as detached from everyday realities.
Opposition figures seized on the controversy to criticise what they described as the ruling class’s lack of empathy, while civil society groups renewed calls for ethical leadership and transparency among public office holders.
As of the time of writing, no independent forensic analysis has been publicly released to confirm or refute Oshiomhole’s claim that the video was AI-generated. However, the episode has reignited conversations about the need for stronger regulations, digital literacy and accountability in an era where technology can blur the line between truth and fabrication.
Whether the video is eventually proven authentic or fake, the incident underscores a broader challenge facing Nigerian politics: rebuilding public trust in an age of economic strain, social media virality and rapidly evolving digital manipulation tools.
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