Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has warned individuals and groups using his name and image to promote online businesses and commercial ventures, especially those that have been confirmed to be fraudulent in nature to desist from such with immediate effect.
Mr. Obi issued the warning following series of online adverts “credited to him”.
One such recent advert was seen by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM).
In the advert, the perpetrator used AI lip sync mechanism to make it seem that Peter Obi was actually speaking.
The quick-tongued speaker with a Caucasian accent was urging his target audience to invest one hundred and forty thousand Naira.
If they do, they will reap two million Naira in a ridiculously short while.
See the two screenshots below:
Peter Obi reacts
Obi condemned such “fraudulent, deceptive, and… exploiting” activities in a statement entitled “ATTENTION! False Use of My Name for Online Promotions”.
He warned the perpetrators to stop ‘using his name to promote or endorse online businesses and ventures’.
Peter Obi said: “My attention has been drawn once again to the activities of individuals and groups who persist in using my name to promote or endorse various online businesses and ventures.
“Despite earlier clarifications issued by my aides, some persons have continued to exploit my identity for personal and commercial gain, thereby misleading unsuspecting members of the public.
“I wish to state categorically that I have no connection whatsoever with any of these endorsements or promotional activities.
“At no time have I authorised any individual, business, or online platform to use my name, image, or identity for commercial purposes or profit-making ventures.
“Such acts are fraudulent, deceptive, and aimed solely at exploiting public trust.”
Warning to the public
The former Anambra State governor, therefore, strongly advised the general public to disregard such false claims.
He also advised them to exercise utmost caution when engaging online content that purports to represent or involve him in business dealings.
He added: “The general public is therefore strongly advised to disregard these false claims and exercise utmost caution when encountering any online content that purports to represent or involve me in business dealings.
“Genuine information concerning me or my engagements will continue to be communicated through officially verified channels.”