Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been caught up in a fake news controversy after a message was posted on her verified Instagram account claiming that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had given the old N1,000 and N500 notes another 70 days to be used. The post was later deleted after the CBN declared it fake news.
Following this, Mrs Buhari released a statement denying any involvement in the fake post, claiming that her account had been hacked. She expressed concern that the same people who had previously deleted many of her social media posts were trying to hurt her reputation.
Mrs Buhari’s initial post had stated that in line with the President's directives, the CBN was only going to reissue and recirculate the old N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes, which would be accepted as legal tender for 70 days up to May 1, 2023.
In response, the CBN issued a statement declaring that the post was false and that the bank had not given any extension of the deadline for the usage of the old notes. It advised the public to disregard the fake news and continue to use the new notes.
In her statement, Mrs Buhari claimed that the fake press release was part of a criminal attempt to attack her reputation through her social media platforms. She urged the security agencies to investigate and find the perpetrators.
She also highlighted the fact that her account had been hacked in the past, resulting in the deletion of several of her posts between 2018 and late 2020. Mrs Buhari expressed concern about who had access to her social media handles and called on the security agencies to take all necessary actions.
The CBN has been taking steps to phase out the old N1,000 and N500 notes, which it says are being used for illicit activities such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and corruption. The bank has been urging the public to exchange their old notes for new ones and has set a deadline for the usage of the old notes.
The CBN has also warned against the spread of fake news and misinformation, which it says can have negative consequences for the economy and the financial system.
The incident involving Mrs Buhari’s Instagram account highlights the dangers of social media and the need for individuals and organizations to be vigilant in verifying information before sharing or acting on it.
It also underscores the need for the security agencies to strengthen their efforts in combating cybercrime and other forms of online fraud, which have become increasingly prevalent in Nigeria and other countries.
The incident has sparked a debate on the role of social media in spreading fake news and its impact on public opinion and decision-making. It has also raised questions about the security of social media platforms and the need for stronger measures to protect users’ accounts from hacking and other forms of cyber-attacks.