2027: Akpabio warns politicians against AI-driven falsehoods, violence

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Tuesday, warned political actors against deploying artificial intelligence AI , to spread falsehoods ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akpabio gave the warning in his welcome address as the Senate resumed plenary after two-month recess, which it commenced on July 23, 2026.

He said campaigns have begun, parties have picked candidates and the contest for Nigeria’s future is already before citizens.

“Let the contest be vigorous, let it be open, and let every participant remember the country that we must live together when the contest is over,” Akpabio said.

He urged candidates to campaign with conviction but without weaponiszing technology to mislead voters.

“We must reject violence and intimidation, and resist the falsehoods that travel swiftly and leave distrust in their wake,” he declared.

The Senate President warned that no electoral prize is worth a Nigerian life and no victory deserves celebration if it leaves the nation wounded.

He cautioned against narratives that pit community against community, faith against faith or region against region in pursuit of votes.

“Those who seek office need not see eye to eye in order to walk hand in hand as Nigerians. We can contend without setting one part of our Republic against another,” he said.

Akpabio told colleagues that the Senate must model decorum, saying lawmakers of different parties, regions and convictions must disagree with dignity.

He said the chamber remains the training ground while the real matches are played in villages, markets and farms where Nigerians face insecurity, flooding and cost of living.

“When we adjourned, the sittings ceased for a season. The life of Nigeria did not,” he said

He sympathized with families of those abducted in Marisa, Dekera Mosque and other locations, and victims of floods, saying sympathy alone cannot discharge legislative duty.

“So long as a single Nigerian languishes in captivity, a part of Nigeria is held captive,” Akpabio said, charging security agencies to rescue captives and protect vulnerable communities.

He admitted economic pressure on households, saying economy is felt by mothers counting cost of meals, graduates seeking jobs and businesses struggling to survive.

“They will judge our efforts by what changes in their lives,” he said.

As Nigeria marks 66th Independence in two days, Akpabio urged patriotism with clear eyes to see difficulties and courage to confront them, pledging the Senate will stay at its post despite campaigns.