Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe Denies Ekiti Election Observer Role, Says Viral Photo Was AI-Generated
Tenebe says he was not accredited by INEC as an observer in the Ekiti governorship election and insists the image circulating online is fabricated.
Edo State APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe has denied claims that he served as an election observer in the Ekiti governorship election, describing a viral image showing him in observer gear as AI-generated. His response followed the circulation of a photograph that appeared to place him among accredited observers for the poll.
Tenebe said the image was not authentic and rejected any suggestion that he had been accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the election. The clarification came as the photograph gained attention online and triggered questions about how a sitting party chairman from another state could appear in that role.
By framing the image as artificially generated, Tenebe shifted the focus from the claim itself to the authenticity of political visuals circulating during a sensitive electoral moment. The issue, as it emerged, was no longer only about whether he was present in Ekiti, but whether the image had been deliberately manipulated in a way that could mislead the public about the conduct and neutrality of election observation.
The denial also places the matter within a broader concern around election-related misinformation, particularly when digital images are used to suggest institutional access or roles that have not been officially granted. In this case, Tenebe’s position was clear: he was not an INEC observer in Ekiti, and the image purporting otherwise did not reflect reality.
As of the latest reports, the controversy remained centred on Tenebe’s denial and his insistence that the viral photograph was AI-generated.