2027: Akpabio Warns Against Using AI to Deepen National Divisions

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has warned political actors against deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to spread falsehoods and deepen communal, religious and regional divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akpabio gave the warning on Tuesday while delivering his welcome address as the Senate resumed plenary after its two-month annual recess, which began on July 23, 2026.

He urged politicians seeking elective offices to focus on presenting their programmes and policies to Nigerians, while allowing voters to freely make their choices.

According to him, political differences should not be allowed to undermine the unity and stability of the country.

“Those who seek office need not see eye to eye in order to walk hand in hand as Nigerians. We can contend without setting community against community, faith against faith or one part of our Republic against another.

“Let every candidate make a case and answer hard questions. Let every citizen be free to decide. We must reject violence and intimidation, and resist the falsehoods that travel swiftly and leave distrust in their wake.

“No electoral prize is worth a Nigerian life. No victory deserves celebration if it leaves the nation wounded,” he said.

The Senate President also reminded political actors that the country would remain their common home after the elections, regardless of the outcome.

“Let the contest be vigorous, let it be open, and let every participant remember the country that we must live together when the contest is over,” Akpabio said.

He further called on politicians and their supporters to exercise responsibility in the use of emerging technologies, particularly AI, warning against the rapid spread of fabricated content capable of misleading citizens and heightening tensions.

Akpabio also outlined the Senate’s priorities as it resumed legislative activities, identifying insecurity, flooding and the rising cost of living among the major challenges requiring renewed attention.

He pledged that the Senate would intensify its constitutional responsibilities through legislation, appropriation and oversight to address issues affecting Nigerians.

The Senate President expressed sympathy with families whose relatives had been abducted and communities affected by violence and flooding, stressing that the legislature could not afford to remain passive in the face of such challenges.

He noted that the suspension of plenary during the recess did not mean that the problems confronting Nigerians had stopped.

Akpabio consequently urged senators to sustain their legislative and oversight duties throughout the 2027 election season, despite the political activities involving members of the chamber.

He said the Senate, comprising lawmakers from different political parties, regions and ideological backgrounds, had a responsibility to demonstrate that political disagreements could coexist with national responsibility.

“This Senate must show the way. Within these walls sit men and women of different parties, regions and convictions, entrusted with the representation of one Republic. We shall continue to disagree, as a free Parliament must.

“Yet we must hear one another, conduct our affairs with dignity and fulfil our duties throughout the campaign season. The people sent us here to serve until the end of our mandate. There is work before us, and we shall remain at our posts in spite of the campaigns,” he said.