Ignore fake audio purportedly revealing plan by Atiku to rig presidential election

Phrank Shiabu, assistant to the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakarhas been described as “trash talking,” a viral audio clip on social media purportedly revealed plans by Atiku, his mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and the Director General of the campaign, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, to rig the presidential election.

In a statement on Friday, Mr. Shaibu who is the special assistant in public communication for Atiku said the latest audio clip in circulation is a confirmation of last week’s warning that the opposition will deepen its propaganda ahead of the election.

In the widely circulated audio clip, Atiku, Messrs Okowa and Tambuwal were heard discussing plans to rig the 2023 general election.

PREMIUM TIMES has not conducted an independent investigation to confirm the authenticity of the audio clip.

Mr. Shaibu said the audio of the school principal and other party members was doctored by artificial intelligence technology tools and could easily be identified as fake even from the tone of the speaker.

“In this latest drivel, a montage of speeches delivered by Atiku, Tambuwal, and Okowa since last year have been manipulated and combined to give the impression that they are discussing plans to rig Saturday’s election. In this age of artificial intelligence technology, even the dead can be portrayed as speech. This is not new.

“For the record, Atiku has participated in two presidential elections and has never been charged or prosecuted for election violence or vote buying.

“But some people think they can sell the narrative of Atiku manipulating this election. This is the height of desperation, the last kick of a dead horse. APC and the Labor Party must note that elections are not won on social media but at polling units.

“It is unfortunate that those who seek power will engage in old tactics of defeat. How can Tambuwal call Atiku by his full name in a one-on-one private conversation? This is absurd, similar to the kind of meaningless conversations about President Muhammadu Buhari who died and was replaced by one Jubril from Sudan.

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“When they descend to the level of baseless propaganda, we will rise above with dignity and respond with our PVC. This election is a watershed in the history of Nigeria. Nigerians must not forget the most important thing, which is to rebuild this broken system, revive the economy, and increase the security and hope of the people in a united Nigeria.

Mr. Shaibu called on the police and other security agencies as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain fair and neutral in the polls.

He also asked the authorities to search for the people behind the audio recording citing section 123 (c) of the Electoral Act which provides that “any person before or during the election publishes a statement about the personal character or conduct of the candidate that is considered prejudicial.” the opportunity to elect a candidate or to promote or procure the election of another candidate and such statement is false and is published without reasonable grounds for the belief by the person publishing that the statement is true, commits an offense and is liable to a maximum conviction of N100,000 or imprisonment for six months or two- both of them.