President Bola Tinubu and VP Kashim Shettima
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of orchestrating a coordinated misinformation campaign aimed at discrediting President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna.
The ruling party alleged that the opposition planned to circulate fake documents, manipulated videos and misleading reports to undermine the campaign, but did not provide evidence linking Atiku or the ADC to the alleged activities.
In a statement issued on Saturday, APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Dele Alake, claimed the alleged plot was designed to damage the image of President Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and other leaders of the party.
“We have uncovered a well-orchestrated, devious plan by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his party to discredit the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna today, Saturday, October 24th, 2026,” Alake said.
He alleged that the opposition intended to use artificial intelligence, deepfake videos and counterfeit documents to manipulate public opinion.
“Through subterfuge and mindless propaganda, the former Vice President and the African Democratic Congress have perfected their plans to misinform and disinform the public, manipulate public opinion through fake news operations and planting of false news in mainstream news platforms and social media with the use of Artificial Intelligence, deepfake videos, and counterfeit documents, all in a bid to discredit the APC rally in Kaduna, President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani, and leaders of our party,” he stated.
Alake said the alleged campaign had already begun with what he described as the misrepresentation of a security vehicle stationed near an APC campaign billboard in Kaduna.
According to him, the vehicle was on routine patrol, contrary to claims that security personnel had been deployed specifically to protect campaign billboards.
He further alleged that the story was later amplified on social media by Atiku Abubakar after it was published by a national newspaper.
The APC spokesperson also accused the opposition of circulating a fake letter purportedly written by Governor Uba Sani requesting the release of ₦2.3 trillion to organise the Kaduna rally.
Questioning the authenticity of the document, Alake said the amount was unrealistic when compared to Kaduna State’s finances.
“We are still at a loss as to how anyone can imagine and concoct this senseless and utterly baseless lie that defies logic and basic common sense. How much is the entire annual revenue of Kaduna State, or any state, for that matter, that a state would spend N2.3 trillion to host a rally?” he said.
He added that the figure being circulated exceeded the state’s combined budgets for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Alake also alleged that more manipulated videos and old footage could be released during the rally to create the impression that residents rejected the APC campaign.
“The ADC and Atiku’s hirelings have also perfected plans to circulate old, doctored, and deepfake videos as the rally gets underway later today to show purported resentment by the people,” he claimed.
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as attempts to mislead the public.
“We hereby use this opportunity to alert the general public about this malicious and ignoble plan,” Alake said.
The APC spokesman further alleged that Atiku Abubakar and the ADC were desperate to gain political advantage ahead of the 2027 general election.
“It is a fact that Atiku Abubakar and the ADC, his special-purpose vehicle, are incapable of winning any election. They will pull any strings, no matter how despicable and atrocious, to stay afloat in their desperate bid to grab power at all costs. We urge Nigerians to be vigilant and reject their machinations,” he added.
The statement comes as political campaigns ahead of the 2027 presidential election gather momentum, with both the APC and the ADC exchanging accusations over campaign conduct, misinformation and attempts to shape public perception.
