Atiku calls on Nigerians to disregard fake audio recording

A voice recording has been making rounds on the internet since its leak. In the recording, voices that sound like Atiku, Aminu Tambuwal and Ifeanyi Okowa’s can be heard. They can be heard discussing how to go about rigging the upcoming elections.

However, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, has come out to say that the audio is fake.

“We warned last week that as the election approaches, there will be a spike in the rate of propaganda on social media,” Shaibu said.

“In this latest drivel, a montage of speeches delivered by Atiku, Tambuwal, and Okowa since last year were manipulated and pieced together to give an impression that they were discussing plans to rig Saturday’s election. In this age of artificial intelligence technology, even dead people can be portrayed as delivering speeches. This is nothing new.

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

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

Atiku said the voice recording, could be easily identified as fake even from the tone of the speakers. Atiku has also advised his supporters not to engage in the propaganda, like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party.

“When they descend to the level of baseless propaganda, we will rise above it with dignity and respond with our PVCs. This election is a watershed in Nigerian history. Nigerians must not lose sight of what is most important, which is the need to rebuild this broken system, revitalize the economy, and improve security and the hope of the people in a united Nigeria,” he said.

He also called on security agencies and the INEC to prosecute those behind the doctored audio recording in line with Section 123(c) of the Electoral Act.