Oshiomhole’s controversy video fuels debate on digital manipulation

A viral video allegedly showing Adams Oshiomhole, Nigerian senator and former Edo State governor, massaging the foot of a woman aboard a private jet has triggered widespread controversy.

This viral video reignited concerns about digital manipulation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the growing challenge of verifying online content.

The short clip, which surfaced earlier this week across social media platforms including X, Instagram and TikTok, quickly drew intense reactions from Nigerians.

Many criticised what they perceived as a display of luxury and insensitivity at a time of economic hardship, while others urged caution, warning about the rising sophistication of digitally altered media.

In response, Oshiomhole’s media office denied the authenticity of the footage, describing it as a “poorly crafted and edited fake AI video” designed to blackmail the senator and tarnish his public image.

His team pointed to alleged technical inconsistencies in the 30-second clip, particularly around the six-second mark, which they said suggested artificial manipulation.

They also called for an investigation into the origin and distribution of the video, labelling it an act of ‘criminal cyberbullying.’

However, the controversy deepened after the woman seen in the video, identified as Leshaan Dagama, a South African influencer and content creator, publicly contradicted the senator’s claims.

In a brief Instagram post, she insisted that the video was real and not generated using AI, saying, “Video wasn’t AI but okay believe your senator.”

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Her response further intensified the online debate.

The conflicting accounts have placed a spotlight on the growing risks posed by deepfakes and AI-driven video manipulation, particularly in politically sensitive contexts.

Advances in generative AI are making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between authentic and fabricated content, raising concerns about misinformation, reputational damage, and political weaponisation.

There have been calls for a forensic digital analysis of the clip but this still reveals the urgent need for stronger digital literacy, ethical standards in content sharing, and regulatory frameworks to address the misuse of emerging technologies.

The authenticity of the video remains contested but its impact has reignited national conversations about trust, technology, and accountability in Nigeria’s digital age.

Folake Balogun is a tech journalist covering Africa’s fast-growing digital economy with a strong focus on incisive analysis of startup trends, venture capital, and fintech innovation, while also exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the future of connectivity by highlighting their economic and social impact.

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