As Nigerians prepare to head to the polls to elect new leaders who will steer the affairs of the country, the use of election misinformation…

As Nigerians prepare to head to the polls to elect new leaders who will steer the affairs of the country, the use of election misinformation and disinformation has become a weaponized tactic employed by supporters of various political parties. This is usually in an attempt to sway public opinion and in turn influence the elections outcome.

The weaponization of misinformation and disinformation in Nigerian elections has overshadowed the traditional forms of political manipulation such as hate speech and ethnic profiling. These tactics have been dominant in Nigerian elections in the past, particularly in the northern regions of the country, where ethnic clashes have occurred in the aftermath of elections. The 2011 elections were a prime example of this, where ethnic tensions boiled over into violence that resulted in significant loss of lives and property.

With the advancement of digital technology, political actors are exploiting the ability to manipulate audio-visuals and images, to further their political agendas and sway public opinion.

They use the manipulated content to cast their political rivals in a negative light, and make them appear untrustworthy or unethical in the eyes of the electorate. To give credibility to mis/disinformation, actors are also using altered videos, images and photos to push false narratives.

Candidate Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) faces a campaign hurdle as some of his supporters have resorted to using doctored videos featuring Hollywood stars, to falsely claim endorsement of his candidacy.

A manipulated video was circulated online showing Hollywood celebrities holding a white placard reading ‘Yes, it makes sense to vote for Peter Obi in 2023’. The video features a Nigerian map and a ballot paper with a thumbprint of Peter Obi’s affiliation, the Labour Party (LP). This video is part of a deceptive effort by some Obi supporters, to give the false impression of endorsement from the Hollywood stars.

The doctored video, which was widely shared on Twitter and WhatsApp, had 41 Hollywood stars including; Idris Elba, Ice Cube, John Cena, Tom Cruise, Doud Lima, Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith, and Bruce Willis among others.

A reserve image analysis of keyframes from the doctored video revealed that it was produced by merging parts from the ‘Weird Autocomplete Interviews’ series and trailer for the comedic film ‘Red Nose Day Actually’. This showed that the video’s claims of Hollywood endorsement for Obi were false and not genuine.

Additionally, further analysis revealed that the video gained traction through a Twitter account @ObidientsGM, where it received ~11,000 views, 1,376 retweets, 65 quote tweets, and 1,785 likes. The account, which is described as a means of grassroots mobilisation for Peter Obi, has been promoting his candidacy since he declared his intention to run for the country’s highest political office.

An in-depth analysis revealed that the video was initially posted on November 20, 2022, by @Ogenennewi in the comment section of a tweet made by Obi.

The video was later shared by another tweep @Akirika9ja. However, it received limited traction of 60 views, 13 retweets, and 17 likes.

The doctored video further got a wider audience when a prominent figure in the entertainment industry in Nigeria and a supporter of Obi, Charlie Boy, posted it attracting 2,130 retweets, 347 quote tweets, and 4,469 likes. The tweet, which has since been deleted but documented in archives, demonstrates the widespread use of election misinformation and disinformation as a campaign tactic in the upcoming Nigerian elections.

The video is not the first manipulated video posted by @ogenennewi. A further review of his account activities revealed that just a day after posting the Hollywood doctored video, he posted another doctored video of a celebrity dog painting a picture of Obi.

A reverse image search showed that the original video was of Jumpy the dog, a YouTube celebrity dog whose videos have received millions of views, painting a landscape. At the 00:20 second of the 23-second-long video, a red shade is visible from afar. Additionally, a white spot on the cover of the book underneath the canvas drawing board was observed, indicating amateur editing efforts to conceal the manipulation.

With the elections drawing near, politicians from different political groups have begun using misinformation and disinformation as political weapons to undermine their political opponents. These tactics have become so prevalent that they are now making it to the front pages of the country’s mainstream media, causing the government to express worries about the negative impacts the tactics could have on the election results.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has stated that election misinformation and disinformation pose a significant threat to the upcoming elections, in addition to issues such as violence, insecurity, vote buying, and attacks on facilities belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Obi’s supporters

Although misinformation has been equally employed by all major political parties contesting the election, the supporters of Peter Obi, who are mostly young and tech-savvy, have frequently perpetuated the idea that his candidacy has received the backing of foreign individuals. Despite this, such endorsements are unlikely to significantly impact the outcome of the election.

A quote attributed to Hollywood actor Will Smith, which was trending in December last year, urged Nigerians to make history by voting for Obi as the Nigerian president. The quote read: “Peter is the best candidate to even rule America, fight for him. I have heard him speak to his people one-on-one, his energy is unmatched and his diligence is second to none. Never in the history of Africa has someone like him emerged. If he were an American, his path to the presidential ticket would be certain. He holds the key not only to a new Nigeria but also Africa.”

However, a fact-check conducted by Africa Check concluded that the quote was fake and could not be traced to the actor through his social media handle.

In July, another false claim circulated on social media that A-list actor Tom Hanks endorsed Obi after watching a video of his speech. This claim was also investigated by Daily Trust, confirming that it was false.

Additionally, a post by Charly Boy claimed that former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo travelled to the United States to promote Obi’s candidacy to 49 world leaders.

The post featured a picture of the former president on stage, bearing the Atlantic Council logo, and another picture of white attendees. Although the images were blurry and reverse image searches yielded no results, two news reports emerged, which seem to be syndicated. These reports indicated that Obasanjo attended the Atlantic Council during the US-Africa Business Forum held in Washington in December, 2022 to sell Obi’s candidacy.

This manipulation of information has the potential to undermine the integrity of the election process and create confusion among voters. In an environment where misinformation and disinformation are rampant, it becomes increasingly difficult for voters to make informed decisions and participate in a fair and democratic election process. The use of such tactics highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in political campaigns, as well as education and awareness-raising initiatives to help voters identify and reject disinformation.

https://dailytrust.com/doctored-videos-used-to-propagate-false-claims/

Liar Mohamed, who dishes out misinformation and disinformation more than you and your propaganda Political party??!

Liar Mohamad you the modafvcking LIEING machine man! ... Can you provide us the
"undoctored" version of the claims?!

We need Nigeria to move forward ..lets move beyond interest, tribalism, religion and give posterities good Nigeria

If you are a woman

Look deep down into your conscience

If you can't marry an old man with deteriorating mental and physical health condition and you can't give out your daughter or female relatives to such man But still want tinubu to rule us may you and your generation never have peace in this life

Same with with men..if you a man and you can't allow your daughter to marry a old man with deteriorating mental and physical health condition but still you want to vote tinubu to rule us may you and your generation never have peace in this life

We all know who are the real MASTERS OF DECEPTION/PROPAGANDA and even a 5year old knows APC and liar Mohammed and deceit and fakery have the same meaning in the dictionary.
Awon stealers of Donald Duke's childhood pictures.
Same APC propagandaist that are EXPERTS at using fake doctored videos to claim crowd in the stadium and deceive the public.

They know that thier busted APC crowd is fake and they now want to use reverse psychology on the people as usual. See APC claiming this as Bornu crowd on thier official handle.

You can't win an election with lies, manipulation and self deceit, it will only land you in an embarrassing third place



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dre11:

As Nigerians prepare to head to the polls to elect new leaders who will steer the affairs of the country, the use of election misinformation…




https://dailytrust.com/doctored-videos-used-to-propagate-false-claims/

Yes, you're right. It is very true that APC spreads a lot of falsehood. APC lule...desperados

How do I unread this whole nonsense that I just read? Where is objective empirical verification of the claim that most of these doctored videos are carried out by Peter Obi supporters?

Why would the admin approve such a biased write-up?

Urchins will just come out with false analyses to soothe their propaganda. It will not work.



Vote for Peter Obi
Vote for a new Nigeria.

Lol

Only someone born of a mad woman would love Nigeria the way it is. Most Nigerians have been deprived of everything and don't know what living life is.

Bullshit as usual from an Urchin...

I know you must find one way or the other to drag Obi into your messy write up...

It's very bad that Obi is living rent free in your head...

Wake up and start loving your next President Peter Obi as a good citizen...or you die in jealousy as we sail on, aboard the new Nigeria ship.

"the supporters of Peter Obi, who are mostly young and tech-savvy, have frequently perpetuated the idea that his candidacy has received the backing of foreign individuals. Despite this, such endorsements are unlikely to significantly impact the outcome of the election.

A quote attributed to Hollywood actor Will Smith, which was trending in December last year, urged Nigerians to make history by voting for Obi as the Nigerian president. The quote read: “Peter is the best candidate to even rule America, fight for him. I have heard him speak to his people one-on-one, his energy is unmatched and his diligence is second to none. Never in the history of Africa has someone like him emerged. If he were an American, his path to the presidential ticket would be certain. He holds the key not only to a new Nigeria but also Africa.”

another false claim circulated on social media that A-list actor Tom Hanks endorsed Obi after watching a video of his speech. This claim was also investigated by Daily Trust, confirming that it was false.

Additionally, a post by Charly Boy claimed that former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo travelled to the United States to promote Obi’s candidacy to 49 world leaders.

The post featured a picture of the former president on stage, bearing the Atlantic Council logo, and another picture of white attendees. Although the images were blurry and reverse image searches yielded no results, two news reports emerged, which seem to be syndicated. These reports indicated that Obasanjo attended the Atlantic Council during the US-Africa Business Forum held in Washington in December, 2022 to sell Obi’s candidacy.

This manipulation of information has the potential to undermine the integrity of the election process and create confusion among voters. In an environment where misinformation and disinformation are rampant, it becomes increasingly difficult for voters to make informed decisions and participate in a fair and democratic election process. The use of such tactics highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in political campaigns, as well as education and awareness-raising initiatives to help voters identify and reject disinformation."

Zombidients have turned this election to their usual IPOB propaganda. These numerous lies together with their social media mob action is what they used to confuse weak minds from other tribes.

Nursed videos ńkọ́?

Obi is the best among the rest. Only tribal and religious bigots are still seeing reason to vote for others.

Lies upon lies

Apc urchins can lie

Naira20:
This ones no sabi wetin to talk about again.

Whenever misinformation is mentioned, PDAPC is culprit

Even though you're shown proof.

This was how people acted with Buhari in 2015

Thank God Obi can't win, so I'm not bothered

Noted.

They are all using "doctored" pix, video. A candidate went as far as claiming to be another personality just to sell himself as an handsome man in his youthful years

Person creating this trend just dey make me laugh. If you are this desperate, then at least pay pro to do your photoshopping

When are you going to analyze impersonation; a criminal offence. The use of Donald Duke's childhood picture to portray a candidate's childhood whose background can not be traced.

Urchins go create fake images/news and then come out to factcheck it with their propaganda media 😃

BTW, who takes TVC, DailyTrust and Ireporters seriously? They are the media arm of APC. They are jokes.

If Nigerians are serious to reform this country Tinubu should be in jail by now

Ok

Use your head wisely:
N30,000 minimum wage, no governor went to supreme court to ensure implementation
*Local Govt. No governor went to supreme court to enforce autonomy
*Non payment of salaries and pension no governor went to supreme court
*ASUU Strike for 8 months no Governor went to supreme court.
*Fuel scarcity...no supreme court
*Electricity hike; no supreme court
*Bad Roads....no supreme court order.
*Unemployment.... No supreme court.
*Poverty....no supreme court order.
*Heightened inflation, no supreme court order.
*COVID-19 lockdown which lasted for months, even palliatives ceased/denied, no governor went to supreme court. *Now there no physical cash to buy votes...they remember that the masses are suffering.
Ask yourself.... are these govenors really working for your interest?

February 25th is a day of liberation By God's grace.




DON'T JOIN ANY PROTEST🧏‍♂️🙏🙏

What's politics without propaganda?

It's the season of information and misinformation.

Wetin be this abeg? 😂
Una no get wetin to use counter LP now.

dre11:

As Nigerians prepare to head to the polls to elect new leaders who will steer the affairs of the country, the use of election misinformation…




https://dailytrust.com/doctored-videos-used-to-propagate-false-claims/

No to APC. You can see suffering they have subjected the land to.