Fact-Check: How AI Is Being Used to Create Fake Newspaper Front Pages and Misinform Voters About 2027 Electoral Promises

Background

Nigeria’s general elections, scheduled for January and February 2027, have already drawn campaign activity following the lifting of the ban on 19 August 2027. Within weeks, the information space has become increasingly crowded with false and misleading political content, much of it amplified on social media.

While misinformation and disinformation are not new features of Nigeria’s electoral landscape, recent technological advancements, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), have transformed the speed at which false information is produced and disseminated.

AI-powered tools now enable the creation of highly convincing fabricated newspaper front pages, manipulated graphics, cloned voices, deep-fake videos, and false political statements capable of misleading large audiences within a short period.

AI-Generated Newspaper Impersonations Spread Candidates’ Misinformation

On 2 September 2026, NDRfactcheck observed viral graphics circulating on social media targeting Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The graphics falsely claimed he would provide free treatment for every kidney patient in Enugu.

Among those who shared the graphic was Lere Olayinka Aresa, Media Aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The graphic has a picture of Atiku Abubakar, the logo of the party and a write-up which says,

“I will provide free kidneys to every patient suffering from kidney failure in Enugu State Dialysis Center.”

This claim surfaced just some days after the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, visited the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (Parklane), where hundreds of kidney patients gathered to seek support for treatment.

Hence, the issue became a major topic of public discussion after Peter Obi visited the patients and highlighted the burden of kidney disease and dialysis costs in Nigeria.

After this statement, social media users began sharing the graphics, attributing it to the former Vice President and the Presidential Candidate of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections. Here, here, here, here and here.

NDR conducted a search of recent news reports, campaign statements, interviews, speeches, and official communications and found no credible record of Atiku Abubakar promising to provide free kidneys to kidney failure patients in Enugu or elsewhere.

Only news reports covering Atiku’s recent activities focus on issues such as fuel subsidy, insecurity, governance, and the 2027 elections, with no mention of such a kidney donation programme. Here, here, and here.

Also, a post by an X user @MykdonDosDantos on 2nd September, 2026, posted an AI-generated image claiming the Daily Tribune Newspaper published that Tinubu would increase petrol prices to ₦5,000 Per Litre and Jail Citizens Without Tax Receipts.

Another viral image designed to resemble the front page of Nigerian Tribune Newspaper was created claiming that Atiku Abubakar said, “No Nigerian will pay house rent when I become President.”

The image further alleges that landlords would be prohibited from collecting rent, that landlords who collect rent would face a 10-year jail term and that the policy would take effect if Atiku becomes President in 2027.

Further, there was an AI image designed to look like the front page of Punch Newspaper claiming that Atiku Abubakar said, “I will sell fuel for free and that he will give scholarships for all Nigerian students when I become president.”

The AI image inscription claims that every Nigerian student, from primary school to university, would receive scholarships and that fuel would be free nationwide.

Identifying Newspapers Generated with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

To identify discrepancies or detect AI-generated newspaper front pages, look for the following signs:

Firstly, get a copy of the Newspaper in question. In the case of The Punch and Tribune newspapers that were doctored, this is our finding: the newspaper name is called NIGERIAN TRIBUNE, and not The Daily TRIBUNE, and The Punch, not Punch; also look out for the placement of the nameplate.

The original Nigerian Tribune newspaper nameplate has a logo beside it, while the AI-generated one did not have it.

Nigerian Tribune also uses a distinctive font that differs from the version circulating online.

Check key dates for inconsistencies. For example, the AI-generated Daily Nigerian Tribune front page claimed the paper was established in 1951, while Nigerian Tribune was founded on November 16, 1949. Similarly, the AI-generated Punch front page listed 1971 as its founding year, although the original Punch was registered on August 8, 1970.

Check the cover price as well: the genuine Nigerian Tribune costs ₦300, while the AI-generated version listed ₦250.

Finally, the newspaper urged readers to verify front pages carefully, warning that fake covers increasingly spread political misinformation and sway public opinion. It advised checking the masthead, layout, edition format, typography, photographs, captions, and story placement together rather than relying on a sensational headline.