Senate President Godswill Akpabio drew laughter from lawmakers on Thursday after making light of the viral video that allegedly showed Senator Adams Oshiomhole aboard a private jet with a woman.
Speaking during plenary, Akpabio said the Senate initially paid little attention to the footage because members believed it could have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
The remarks came during proceedings captured in a video shared by Africa Independent Television (AIT).
Senate initially dismissed clip as possible AI content
Akpabio recalled that the issue was not pursued after Senator Simon Lalong reportedly informed him that the video was believed to be AI-generated.
According to the Senate President, the upper chamber considered the possibility that the footage was digitally manipulated.
However, he noted that the Senate could review the matter if credible evidence was presented through the appropriate process.
“We just ignored the message because we thought it was AI,” Akpabio said, adding that any fresh evidence could be considered if a petition was before the Senate.
Viral video triggered online reactions
The video, which circulated widely in February 2026, appeared to show a man resembling the Edo North senator seated inside what looked like a private jet while a woman rested her legs on his lap.
The footage generated widespread debate on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the optics of the alleged scene, particularly during a period of economic hardship.
The controversy also attracted political commentary after some users linked it to Oshiomhole’s earlier public remarks on the rising cost of food.
Oshiomhole denied authenticity of footage
Following the video’s circulation, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, through his media aide, Oseni Momodu, rejected the footage as fake.
His media team described it as an AI-generated fabrication allegedly designed to tarnish his reputation and urged Nigerians to verify digital content before sharing it online.
While Oshiomhole’s camp maintained that the clip was manipulated, it did not publicly release independent forensic analysis supporting the claim. Some fact-checking reports also questioned whether the available footage showed conclusive signs of AI manipulation.