The media office of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has dismissed as fake a viral video circulating on social media that appears to show the former Edo State governor massaging the leg or foot of a woman aboard a private jet.
The video, which triggered widespread backlash online, gained traction against the backdrop of public outrage over Oshiomhole’s recent remarks suggesting that food prices in Nigeria were now “too cheap,” comments many Nigerians viewed as insensitive amid rising economic hardship.
In a statement issued on behalf of the senator by Embassy-Oseni Momodu, the media office described the footage as a “poorly crafted and edited fake AI video,” alleging that it was deliberately created by malicious actors to blackmail and damage Oshiomhole’s reputation.
According to the statement, the video shows clear signs of manipulation, including what it described as glaring inconsistencies beginning around the 0.6-second mark where the woman is seen ascending aircraft stairs, compared with the remainder of the 30-second clip. The office insisted that the footage was digitally doctored and did not reflect any real event involving the senator.
The media office also criticised the circulation of the video by some online platforms, specifically referencing a Facebook post by Sahara Reporters, accusing such outlets of abandoning investigative professionalism in favour of desperation for clicks, views, and monetisation.
Describing the episode as criminal cyberbullying and a needless attack on the senator’s personality, the statement said the office had commenced efforts to identify both the publisher and the original source of the video. It urged members of the public to verify content before spreading allegations against public officials.
The statement further warned that manipulated digital content had become a growing nuisance in Nigeria’s media space, driven by what it called dubious content creators seeking dollar earnings through social media platforms. While affirming Oshiomhole’s support for legitimate content creation, the office said it opposed the spread of egregious falsehoods and called for urgent regulation of social media to curb abuses.
The video was first amplified by online platforms, triggering reactions from public figures including activist Omoyele Sowore, who mocked what he described as Oshiomhole’s disconnect from the economic realities facing Nigerians. Social media commentator VeryDarkMan also weighed in, highlighting what he termed hypocrisy and elite privilege.
Additional online reports and social media discussions identified the woman in the video as a South African explicit content creator or professional “sugar baby,” with claims that related photos and videos were briefly posted and later deleted on platforms such as TikTok. Further images and clips allegedly showing interactions between the pair also surfaced online.
The controversy has continued to fuel broader public frustration over perceived disparities between the lifestyles of political elites and the economic struggles facing many Nigerians.