Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has expressed strong disapproval over the artificial enhancement of Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traore’s reputation, particularly through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on social media.
Posting on his official X account on Sunday, Sani acknowledged Traore’s attempt to mirror the revolutionary ideals of the late Thomas Sankara but criticized what he described as misleading efforts to glorify his leadership using digital manipulation.
“Ibrahim Traore is not Thomas Sankara. He is, however, following the footsteps of the late revolutionary Marxist leader in trying to rebuild his country,” Sani noted.
He went further to condemn the use of AI tools to inflate Traore’s image and accomplishments, calling such actions both unethical and deceptive.
“The use of AI to fraudulently promote or exaggerate his actions or achievements is needless. Whether this is done by his admirers or foes, it’s totally wrong and misleading,” he stated.
Traore, the 37-year-old military ruler of Burkina Faso, has cultivated a powerful persona as a pan-Africanist champion, positioning himself against Western dominance and modern forms of imperialism.
Much of his growing popularity has been driven by social media campaigns, many of which Sani and others believe are rooted in manipulation and false representation.
While his influence continues to grow online, AI-generated content, including fake videos featuring celebrities like Rihanna, R. Kelly, Justin Bieber, and Beyoncé, has played a role in sustaining the mythos surrounding his leadership.
These music stars, however, have never paid homage to Traore in reality.
Sani’s remarks come amid increasing concern about the role of disinformation and synthetic media in shaping political narratives, particularly in Africa.
He urged those engaging in or supporting such tactics to refrain, emphasizing the damage it does to credibility and truth.
