Get Guardian on GoogleMcArthur Foundation urges voters to resist inducement
The Presidency has called for urgent global action to check the growing misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in political communication, warning that unchecked deployment of the technology could undermine democratic institutions, distort electoral processes and erode public trust ahead of the 2027 elections.
This was as the Country Director of MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria, Dr Kole Shettima, urged Nigerians to resist political inducement and avoid selling their votes before or during the elections.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said the proliferation of AI-generated images and other digital content for political purposes made it imperative for governments, media organisations and technology stakeholders to establish safeguards against disinformation and manipulation.
Onanuga made the call yesterday in Beijing, China, while delivering a paper, ‘AI and the Future of Global Communication’, at the 7th World Media Summit organised by Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality.
He observed that social media platforms, including X, Facebook and TikTok, were increasingly inundated with AI-generated content designed to advance political interests, entertain audiences and influence public opinion.
With political activities and campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections gathering momentum, the presidential aide said AI had become a powerful tool in the hands of politicians and their supporters, with the potential to serve both legitimate and destructive purposes.
He stressed that the growing influence of AI in political communication demanded greater responsibility from political actors, media organisations and the general public, particularly in verifying information before creating, publishing or sharing digital content.
Shettima, who argued that vote-buying thrives when voters are willing to sell their votes, noted that addressing the menace requires tackling both the demand and supply sides of the practice.
He, however, opined that voters could rather collect whatever money politicians offer them but exercise their conscience when casting their ballots. He was silent on why voters must receive offers from the politicians when they would not cast in their favour.
Speaking yesterday during the official unveiling of the Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) Legacy House in Kano, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 20th anniversary, the don disclosed that MacArthur Foundation supported CHRICED’s projects between 2022 and 2025, particularly in sustaining advocacy for social justice, promoting child and maternal health, and advancing education reforms.
“As we are approaching the 2027 general elections, I think the question about vote-buying has two sides, and the question we must also ask is why people are selling their votes.
“So, I think it is a two-way traffic, and we need to address both the demand and supply sides of the coin. Politicians may induce voters by giving them money to buy their votes. I will never ask them not to collect the money they are given. I think they should collect whatever people are giving them, but they should vote with their conscience,” Shettima said.
He commended CHRICED for its resilience and courage in holding authorities accountable, defending justice, protecting human rights and promoting civic responsibility.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, commended CHRICED for its 20 years of commitment to promoting human rights, civic education, democratic participation and responsible citizenship.
The minister described the organisation’s achievements as evidence of the importance of institutional commitment, strategic partnerships and collective efforts in strengthening democracy and accountable governance.
Represented by her Technical Adviser on Partners, Projects and Programmes, Ummukulsum, the minister added that “democracy goes beyond elections”, stressing that informed citizens, respect for the rule of law, and accountable institutions were all significant factors to be considered.
