Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has formally disavowed a viral audio recording circulating on social media that falsely attributes controversial statements about key national figures to her.
In a written statement released on Wednesday, the senator confirmed that the purported conversation was entirely fabricated, claiming the voice in the clip is a “cloned version” manipulated to misrepresent her views and sow discord.
“My attention has been drawn to a video currently trending online purporting to feature me in a conversation with a journalist,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
“I categorically and unequivocally dissociate myself from the said video and audio recording. At no time did I grant such an interview or engage in such a conversation. The voice is not mine—it has clearly been cloned with malicious intent.”
According to the senator, this is not the first instance in which her identity has been weaponized through digital manipulation. She referenced earlier incidents involving doctored audio clips that falsely portrayed her exchanging words with prominent public figures.
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“Unknown individuals may have accessed my communications to place fraudulent calls to prominent personalities using voice cloning technology,” she stated, listing those allegedly targeted: Emmanuel Ekon, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Chief Allen Onyema, and Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that she “had no involvement in those calls,” nor does she recognize the content of the newly surfaced recording.
The clip in question, which began circulating late Tuesday night, pairs a still image of Akpoti-Uduaghan with audio in which a voice resembling hers allegedly criticizes several senior government officials.
Within hours, the recording had been shared thousands of times across WhatsApp groups, Twitter, and Facebook, sparking heated commentary from both supporters and critics. Observers noted that the audio’s production quality and intonation were suspiciously uniform—hallmarks of voice-cloning software rather than a legitimate interview.
Voice-clone technology, which uses artificial intelligence to mimic an individual’s speech patterns, has become increasingly accessible in recent years. Experts warn that such deepfake methods can be exploited to spread disinformation, undermine public trust in political leaders, and even manipulate electoral outcomes.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office described the trend as “both criminal and dangerous,” highlighting the broader implications for privacy, public safety, and democratic discourse in Nigeria.
In her statement, the senator confirmed that her legal and security teams have already launched an investigation to identify those responsible for creating and disseminating the fraudulent audio.
“I remain firmly committed to truth, justice, and responsible democratic engagement,” Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote. “I urge Nigerians to be vigilant and resist the spread of disinformation, especially as technology continues to evolve.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also appealed to media organizations to verify recordings before publishing or amplifying them. “Journalists and social media influencers have a duty to authenticate sources, particularly when a recording has the potential to influence public perception and ignite tensions,” she noted.
For her part, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to continue her legislative work unimpeded. On Thursday, she announced a town hall meeting in Okene, where she will address constituents’ concerns about digital disinformation and outline measures for community resilience.
She also hinted at proposing a new bill in the National Assembly—tentatively titled the Digital Integrity and Accountability Act—to introduce stiffer penalties for individuals and entities found guilty of creating and distributing fake digital content.
As the investigation unfolds, political watchers will be tracking whether the authorities can act swiftly enough to deter future deepfake campaigns. In the meantime, citizens across Nigeria are reminded to treat unsolicited audio and video clips with skepticism and to seek official confirmations before drawing conclusions about public figures’ statements.