Fact-Check: AI-Generated Image Falsely Suggests Rufai Oseni Supports Tinubu for 2027 Election

Claim: A viral image shows Nigerian broadcaster Rufai Oseni declaring that he will vote for President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.

Verdict: False.

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An image circulating on social media claims that broadcaster and Arise TV presenter Rufai Oseni has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

The image features Oseni dressed in a suit and traditional cap, with the inscription: “I Rufai Oseni will be voting for Tinubu in Jan 2027.” It also displays the infinity “∞” symbol on the cap and a “BAT Tinubu” badge on his jacket, alongside green-and-white campaign-style graphics.

However, NDRFactCheck found that the image was AI-generated and does not prove that Oseni endorsed Tinubu or intended to vote for him in 2027.

A visual examination of the image shows characteristics commonly associated with synthetic image generation. The portrait has an unusually polished appearance, while details of the clothing, badge, facial features and typography appear digitally constructed rather than captured from an authentic photograph.

Hive Moderation, an AI-detection tool, also analysed the image and reported a 99.9% likelihood that it was AI-generated.

Most importantly, there is no accompanying original post, video, interview or statement from Oseni establishing that he made the declaration.

A search of Oseni’s publicly indexed social media presence also did not produce an authentic post from him making the purported endorsement. His known X account is @ruffydfire, where he regularly comments on Nigerian politics and the 2027 elections. Recent indexed posts show him discussing political issues and asking followers questions about who they intend to vote for but do not establish the claim contained in the viral graphic.

The search also found evidence that Oseni has continued to make critical comments about the Tinubu administration. For example, an indexed post from his account criticised the government’s CNG narrative, arguing that cheaper CNG operations do not eliminate the wider economic pressures that drivers and passengers face.

Searches of his publicly indexed X and other social media pages reveal that Oseni had posted the same image with the caption

The broader political context makes verification important. Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election campaign has already generated a significant volume of misleading and fabricated political content online. Recent fact-checking has documented the recirculation of old videos with false 2027 claims and the presentation of other fabricated political material as genuine campaign content.

The image should therefore not be treated as evidence of Oseni’s political preference or voting intention.

Furthermore, a person’s photograph can be manipulated or used to manufacture a political endorsement without their knowledge or consent. In this case, the graphic appears designed to create the impression of a direct declaration from Oseni, despite lacking any verifiable source.

Conclusion

The viral image claiming that Rufai Oseni will vote for Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election is FALSE.

The graphic is AI-generated, and no credible evidence indicates that Oseni made the purported declaration.

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