Nigeria: How the pcoming elections are influeced by the rise of AI disinformation

Nigeria's upcoming elections in 2027 are poised to be influenced by the growing prevalence of AI-generated disinformation. Incumbent President Bola Tinubu, running on a platform of tackling insecurity and economic turmoil, will compete against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and opposition leader Peter Obi. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recently released a preliminary voter's register, which has raised concerns due to images potentially created using artificial intelligence.

These images showcase exaggerated facial features and include duplicates of names and the identities of deceased individuals. The Nigerian electoral body is now investigating these AI-related issues, establishing a dedicated unit to monitor potential threats and strengthen election integrity. However, Nigeria is not the first to grapple with the circulation of fabricated content; in 2023, deepfakes falsely linked candidates to terror-related activities.

The assistant editor at factchecking platform DUBAWA, Lois Ugbede, emphasizes the seriousness and increasing commonality of AI-driven disinformation, which could sway political discourse and voter behavior. While AI may not directly influence the vote in favor of a specific candidate, it poses a more significant threat by causing people to question the authenticity of information, as convincing AI-generated fakes become increasingly plausible.

Election consultant Chibuike Mgbeahuruike warns that AI intrusion into INEC's systems could also undermine the commission's credibility, as Nigerians already exhibit low confidence in the electoral process. He stresses the need for transparency, accountability, and human oversight to ensure AI's responsible deployment in elections.

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace, echoes this sentiment, urging journalists to remain vigilant against potential AI manipulation in news reports.