APC accuses Atiku, ADC of plot to discredit Kaduna campaign rally

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of plotting to discredit the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna through alleged fake news, doctored documents, and deepfake videos.

The council, in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, alleged that Atiku and the ADC had deployed coordinated propaganda to manipulate public opinion and discredit President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and other APC leaders ahead of the rally.

It claimed that the alleged campaign involved the use of artificial intelligence, deepfake videos, counterfeit documents, and the circulation of misleading reports on mainstream media platforms and social media.

ALSO READ: Atiku to Tinubu: Stop using security guards to protect your billboards while Nigerians live in fear

According to the statement, the alleged disinformation campaign began with the circulation of a photograph showing a security vehicle on routine patrol near an APC campaign billboard in Kaduna metropolis.

The council alleged that the image was subsequently presented as evidence that security agents had been deployed to protect APC billboards in the state.

It further claimed that after a national newspaper published a report on the incident, Atiku shared the report on his official social media accounts to amplify the narrative.

The APC council also alleged that another document circulated online, purportedly written by Governor Uba Sani to the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, claimed that the Kaduna State Government had released N2.3 trillion to host the rally.

Describing the purported letter as false, the council questioned the plausibility of the amount, arguing that it exceeded the combined budgets of Kaduna State for 2024, 2025 and 2026.

The statement cited the state’s budgets for the three years as N458.271 billion, N790.439 billion and N985.9 billion, respectively.

It maintained that the figures, even when combined, remained below the N2.3 trillion allegedly attributed to the state government for hosting the rally.

The council further alleged that old footage, doctored videos and deepfakes would be circulated during the rally to create the impression that residents of Kaduna were opposed to the APC campaign.

It urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject what it described as attempts to mislead the public and undermine the party’s campaign activities.

The APC council also criticised Atiku and the ADC, accusing them of resorting to disinformation in their bid to gain political power.

However, the allegations were contained in the APC campaign council’s statement, and the document did not include a response from Atiku or the ADC.