Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, has found herself embroiled in a controversy surrounding a viral TikTok video that falsely portrays her as dancing to a song in praise of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Taking swift action to refute the video’s authenticity, the senator has distanced herself from the manipulated clip and clarified that she does not own a TikTok account.
The TikTok video, featuring the song “Omo Ologo”—originally performed by Dauda Kahutu Rarara at a recent event in Katsina that was attended by President Tinubu—sparked widespread circulation on social media platforms, potentially misleading viewers about the senator’s political affiliations. In response, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan released a statement via her verified X account, denouncing the video as misleading and underscoring the existence of multiple parody accounts across various social media platforms using her name.
“I do not own a TikTok account. Many parody accounts exist in my name on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Some have garnered large followings,” the senator clarified, aiming to set the record straight amidst the digital misinformation. She emphasized that the viral clip had been doctored from an old video dating back to 2023, repurposed without her consent and shared online with what she described as “mischievous intent.”
While acknowledging her respect for the President, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the public to disregard the manufactured post and cautioned against falling prey to fake or parody accounts aiming to further deceptive narratives. Her prompt response underscores the perils of manipulated media and the ease with which misinformation can spread in the interconnected digital sphere, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s charged political environment.
The incident sheds light on the persistent challenges posed by deepfakes, altered media, and viral misinformation in the contemporary digital landscape, emphasizing the importance of verification and critical scrutiny in consuming and sharing online content. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public disavowal of the TikTok video serves as a proactive measure to counter any potential misinterpretations and inaccuracies stemming from the misleading clip.
As Nigeria grapples with the complexities of navigating the intersection between technology and politics, instances like the one involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan underscore the necessity for heightened vigilance, discernment, and accountability in engaging with social media content. The senator’s resolute stance against the manipulated video stands as a testament to the challenges inherent in combating digital misinformation and reinforces the imperative of upholding transparency and authenticity in the digital sphere to safeguard against misinformation and manipulation.
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