The Presidency has raised concerns over what it described as a growing campaign of digitally manipulated content aimed at inciting religious tension and discrediting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the political season.

In a public service announcement issued by the Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy, the Presidency said recent incidents involving altered videos, fake audio overlays, and false attributions reflect a coordinated attempt to weaponise religion and spread divisive propaganda across social media platforms.

According to the statement, one of the recent cases involved a manipulated video falsely linked to an influencer, while another deepfake video allegedly sought to provoke religious sentiments against the President through misleading portrayals involving a religious figure.

The Presidency warned that desperate political actors may continue to exploit religion, misinformation, and emotionally charged content to create division among Nigerians for political advantage.

It stressed that President Tinubu’s position on religious coexistence has remained consistent, noting that Nigeria is a multi-religious nation founded on constitutional freedom of worship, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.

The statement also referenced the President’s 2026 Lent and Ramadan message, where he highlighted shared values between Christianity and Islam, including compassion, sacrifice, justice, peace, and love for humanity.

While urging Nigerians to verify information before sharing online, the Presidency cautioned citizens against amplifying unverified and inflammatory content capable of threatening national unity and public peace.

It further disclosed that individuals involved in the malicious spread of false information, cyber manipulation, and inciting content may be identified and reported to relevant authorities in line with existing laws on cybercrime, public mischief, and national security.