Oshiomhole’s Media Office Dismisses Viral Clip as ‘Doctored AI Video,’ Demands Probe

The media office of the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has urged members of the public and the media to disregard a viral video circulating on social media that purportedly shows the former Edo State Governor massaging the foot of a lady.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Embassy-Oseni Momodu on behalf of the Senator’s media office, the video was described as a “poorly crafted and edited fake AI video,” allegedly concocted to blackmail and malign the reputation of the lawmaker.

According to the statement, the clip represents “an awkward height of insensitivity by unguarded power seekers who hide under the use of false information and can go to any length to bring down an innocent assumed enemy, which the amiable Senator is not.”

Momodu insisted that the video was “clearly doctored by malicious actors” with the sole aim of damaging Oshiomhole’s public image, and called for a thorough investigation into both the publisher and the original source of the footage.

“This is a criminal act of cyberbullying and a needless attack on the personality of the Senator. We will further investigate the publisher and the source of it,” the statement said.

The media office particularly faulted the publication of the clip by @SaharaReporters on its Facebook handle, describing the move as evidence of “intent desperation and a decrying state of media reportage devoid of investigative professionalism.”

Providing what it termed a technical breakdown of the video, the statement noted that a close examination of the 30-second clip revealed glaring inconsistencies. It alleged that the first 0.6 seconds, which showed a lady walking through an airstair, did not align with the remaining 23 seconds of footage attributed to Senator Oshiomhole, a disparity the office said strongly suggested “contraption.”

The statement further urged Nigerians to exercise caution and verify information before drawing conclusions about public officials.

“Members of the public should always verify contents before ignorantly ascribing aspersions on public office holders, which Adams Oshiomhole is one,” it said.

Momodu also blamed what he described as “obubuyeye content creators” who, in their quest for online clicks, views, and dollar-denominated monetization, allegedly resort to fabricating and manipulating content against influential Nigerians.

“This antics, devised and manipulated by content creators in quest for online clicks and views to enhance the potentials of their dollar-rating pay via online apps, is increasingly creating nuisance against Nigerians, especially influential personalities such as Oshiomhole,” the statement added.

The media office concluded by calling for urgent regulation of the social media space to curb the spread of doctored and misleading content.

“While Adams Oshiomhole is not against content creators earning a living through these newfound outlets, such earnings must come through legitimate means rather than egregious practices,” Momodu said.