Former Oyo State First Lady and ambassador-designate, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, has denied claims that she described the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State as a “war,” saying a viral video circulating online is fake and created using artificial intelligence.
In an official statement released to the public, Ajimobi described the video as misleading, malicious, and completely false. She said she never made such comments and warned Nigerians against believing or sharing the video.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media platforms, allegedly shows Ajimobi speaking during a Renewed Hope or Unity tour. In the clip, she was said to have declared that the 2027 election in Oyo State would be a war, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) determined to remove the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government at the state level.
However, Ajimobi firmly rejected the claim, stating that the video was digitally manipulated and did not reflect her words or views. According to her, the video was created using deepfake technology, a form of artificial intelligence that can alter faces and voices to make it appear as though someone said or did something they never did.
In the statement titled “Refutation of Fraudulent AI-Generated Video Purporting to Feature Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi,” her team explained that a detailed digital forensic review had been carried out. The assessment, they said, confirmed that the video was not real.
“The video is not authentic,” the statement said. “It is a product of generative artificial intelligence, commonly known as a deepfake, in which facial movements and voice patterns were altered to convey statements never made by Dr. Ajimobi.”
The statement added that the use of such technology to spread false political messages is dangerous and poses a threat to peaceful political engagement, especially as Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle.
Florence Ajimobi is the widow of the late former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who served from 2011 to 2019 under the APC. During his time in office, Ajimobi was a key political figure in the state and remains influential in Oyo politics even after his death in 2020.
As First Lady, Florence Ajimobi was known for her social and women-focused initiatives. In recent years, she has remained active in political and public affairs and was recently named an ambassador-designate, further keeping her in the public eye.
Oyo State politics has remained highly competitive since the APC lost power in 2019 to the PDP, led by Governor Seyi Makinde. Makinde won re-election in 2023, strengthening the PDP’s hold on the state. Since then, discussions about the 2027 elections have already begun, with both major parties positioning themselves for the future.
Against this background, political observers say fake statements and misinformation are likely to increase as political tension builds. The Ajimobi camp described the viral video as part of this growing trend of digital manipulation in politics.
“This incident represents a troubling example of how artificial intelligence is being abused to mislead the public and distort political narratives,” the statement said. “Impersonating respected public figures through AI-generated content threatens democratic values and credible political debate.”
Ajimobi’s denial has drawn attention to the rising use of deepfake technology in Nigeria’s political space. In recent years, fake videos, audio recordings, and images have become more common, often shared widely before they can be properly verified.
Media experts warn that deepfakes can easily cause confusion, damage reputations, and even spark violence if not checked. They say the speed at which content spreads on social media makes it difficult to control false information once it goes viral.
In her statement, Ajimobi urged Nigerians, journalists, and security agencies to ignore the video completely. She advised the public to always verify the source of political content before sharing it, especially during sensitive periods.
“We strongly advise members of the public and media organizations to disregard this fabricated content,” the statement said. “Responsible verification of information is very important in this era of advanced digital falsification.”
The statement did not directly accuse any political group or individual of creating the video, but it suggested that the aim was to create tension and misrepresent Ajimobi’s position ahead of future elections.
Political analysts say statements suggesting violence or “war” during elections are particularly sensitive in Nigeria, given the country’s history of election-related violence in some regions. Such comments, even when false, can raise fear and suspicion among voters.
Ajimobi’s camp stressed that she supports peaceful political engagement and has never encouraged violence. Supporters of the APC in Oyo State also welcomed her clarification, saying the fake video could have caused unnecessary tension.
The APC and PDP are expected to remain strong rivals in Oyo State ahead of 2027. While Governor Makinde is expected to complete his second term, attention is already shifting to who will succeed him and which party will control the state next.
Civil society groups have also reacted to the incident by renewing calls for stronger laws and awareness around the misuse of artificial intelligence. They say government agencies, tech companies, and the media must work together to educate the public on how to identify fake content.
Security agencies have not yet commented on whether an investigation will be launched into the source of the video. However, experts say tracking the creators of deepfakes can be difficult, especially when they are shared anonymously online.
As Nigeria continues to adopt digital tools, cases like this highlight both the benefits and dangers of new technology. While artificial intelligence can improve communication and development, its misuse can also threaten trust and peace.
For now, Florence Ajimobi has made it clear that she never described the 2027 election as a war and that the video making such claims is fake. She called on Nigerians to remain calm, avoid spreading false information, and focus on peaceful and issue-based political discussions as the country moves toward another election season.