By Simon Ebegbulem

With the growing surge of rogue characters in the manipulative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool in disseminating fake news and other dangerous narratives on prominent and politically exposed figures in Nigeria, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former Imo State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Comrade Simon Ebegbulem, in this piece, admonishes perpetrators on the need to behave and comport themselves

Around this part of a world, which in all purposes has shrunk into a global village, no thanks to the seeming magic wand afforded and brought to bare on all by the Computer or Internet Computer Technology (ICT), ‘monitoring spirits’ have somehow expanded their traditional scope of keeping tabs on both the laudable or promising achievements of others, as they seek to diminish or short circuit verifiable success stories. They simply go to work manufacturing what is not seen in their magic bowls.

So it became that haven ran short of avenues of mischief against Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, the Senator representing the good people of Edo North, they found their tool in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Try as they did however, discerning members of the general public refused to be hoodwinked or fooled into falling for what they saw in the offing, in the form of manufactured falsehood, using one of the best gifts of Science in a most negative way.

Notable among breakthrough inventions that have impacted humanity the most in the last century is the computer (ICT), even as it remains fervent prayers that the mischievous among us do not continue to employ same in ways not intended, or deployed to bring peril upon humanity as a whole.

Other most impactful discoveries of our modern era include: the wheels (automobile), electricity, the telephone and television.

Recent clamour for so-called ‘realtime’ electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria being one of such unrealistic demand by some sections, knowing fully well its envisaged impracticability, including seamless availability of Internet network services across the length and breadth of Nigeria, at about the same period of time spanning average eight hours of election (voting) period. That very issue however not being our topic of discussion for today, is better left for later.

Now, pushing viral an apparently AI manufactured video clip of Senator Oshiomhole, and presenting him as a modern day pedicurist, beats the imagination, including the warped ingenuity of the detractors or political jobbers that dreamt it all up.

Utterly laughable as it appears, in scientifically presenting Nigeria’s former No. 1 Labour Leader, former two-term Governor of Edo State and former ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, his antecedents was to boomerang in their faces, forcing them into quiet retreat.

Self-styled columnists and opinion writers have slipped into hidings, for hastily lapping up falsehood, and for trying to make an issue out from non.

Relatedly, another highly respected Nigerian, one time Minister of Finance and presently the Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, two days back, in a national newspaper cautioned Nigerians against a “fake, AI-manipulated video circulating online that falsely features her image.”

The former coordinating minister for the economy in a post on X, reportedly clarified that the said video is not authentic, just as she disclosed that the matter has been referred to appropriate authorities for necessary action, warning that any content shared on those platforms in her name remain fraudulent, and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to deception.

Till tomorrow, and through all his years in public service, the only therapeutic care Oshiomhole is known for are those that offer succour to the generality of Nigerians, particularly the masses and the working Class.

Oshiomhole is a grassroots politician that is adept at grooming men and future leaders, a fact that can be attested to not only within the Labour movement, but also at both sub national and national levels of Nigeria.

Senator Oshiomhole being a natural progressive cannot be deterred in his unflinching and principled support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), and the Renewed Hope administration, the overall aim of which is to make Nigeria great again, of which the results are becoming more and more glaring by the day.

Ahead of 2027, before or after, picking on Senator Adams Oshiomhole as part of an ill conceived attack strategy against President Tinubu’s loyalists, is therefore dead on arrival. Quote me on this.

How soon or how fast do detractors imagine ‘Oshio Baba’ can be rubbished? Not in their lifetime, I dare to say.

This is Senator Adams Oshiomhole whose career packs notable achievements, whether as a Labour Leader, a two-term Governor of Edo State or as APC National Chairman.

His time at the apogee of Nigeria’s Labour movement saw him standing at the forefront in numerous battles for their betterment.

At Osadebey House, his was defined by infrastructural “Red Roof” school revolution, road network modernization, and civil service reforms.

His Excellency, the Comrade Governor (as he then was), bequeathed the Edo University Iyamho, from scratch to finish.

He was known for dismantling unjustifiable godfather political syndrome as institutionalized then in Edo State.

He increased minimum wage, and implemented people-centered, hands-on governance.

He significantly transformed the state’s landscape, to the point that Omo N’oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, of blessed memory, granted him, carte blanche, authority to bring down the palace fence, if need be, at the height of reconstruction and expansion work on the Airport Road, Benin City.

The same Oshiomhole turned the iconic Ring Road into a tourists attraction, holiday and weekend relaxation centre for thousands of appreciative families. He adorned the landscape with gleaming water fountain and mounted gargantuan neon lights that illuminated the city centre 24 hours of the day, seven days of the week.

Same wave of infrastructural development was extended to Edo North and Edo Central senatorial districts, with network of roads criss crossing the areas, while the nagging problem of portable water scarcity in the latter was frontally addressed.

He it was that overhauled public schools with modern buildings, renovated hospitals, and launched extensive road projects, including streetlights and walkways in Benin City, and beyond. He expanded the Uselu-Ugbowo-Lagos expressway, a long stretch of federal road, complete with drainage systems.

Workers’ welfare also took front stage; with increased minimum wage for the work force: N18,000 – N25,000. He boosted internally generated revenue (IGR) without raising tax rate.

He pioneered the “one man, one vote” campaign, which helped break the influence of political godfathers in the state.

He tackled chronic flooding with drainage projects and established the Comrade City Bus service.

In his present position, he has facilitated federal projects and youth employment opportunities.

Typical of him, the Omokpa Nabebho (One man one nation) of Auchi Kingdom, has remained unrelenting in his patriotism to country and compatriots. He continues to champion a system more beneficial to Nigerians and the common man and woman in particular, an example being his fearless stand and position on illegal solid mineral mining in parts of Northern Nigeria.

Not minding whose ox is gored, Oshiomhole called a spade by its proper name, in which process the sector has benefited from his expose on the floor of the Senate.

Not only has Senator Oshiomhole’s body of well reasoned and lucidly presented contributions on the floor of Nigeria’s Red Chambers added glamour to proceedings at the Senate, his cordial working relationship with Governor Monday Okpebholo continues to bring massive development to Edo State. So the man Comrade remains the people’s Comrade and no amount of blackmail will ever change that fact.