Date: May 27, 2026 l By Tammy Williams
The Nigerian Presidency has called for legal action against social media influencer and activist VeryDarkMan, popularly known as VDM, over the circulation of an alleged fake audio recording linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga accused VDM of spreading manipulated content capable of escalating insecurity and ethnic tension, particularly in Nigeria’s South-East region. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Onanuga alleged that the influencer abused social media platforms by disseminating false and misleading audio material purportedly involving the president.
According to the Presidency, the audio recording being circulated was fabricated and intended to incite unrest and deepen political divisions. Officials warned that the spread of misinformation, especially content capable of inflaming regional tensions, posed a serious threat to national security and public peace.
The Presidency further insisted that individuals responsible for creating or distributing manipulated digital content should face the full weight of the law. Onanuga maintained that fake audio materials and misinformation campaigns could worsen insecurity challenges already confronting parts of the country.
In response, VDM denied wrongdoing and accused the Presidency of linking him to the allegedly doctored recording without proper verification. He argued that authorities failed to fact-check before publicly accusing him of involvement in the circulation of the controversial audio clip.
The controversy has triggered widespread debate on social media regarding misinformation, digital manipulation, and freedom of expression in Nigeria’s online space. Concerns have also been raised globally about the growing sophistication of audio deepfake technology and its potential impact on public trust and political stability.
Authorities have not yet announced whether formal charges will be filed, but the Presidency indicated that security agencies and relevant legal institutions were reviewing the matter.