Akpabio Denies Threatening Northerners Over Tinubu’s 2027 Loss

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied saying that Northerners would be made to suffer between January and May if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election. Akpabio described the statement attributed to him as a “complete fabrication” and challenged those circulating the claim to produce evidence of where and when he allegedly made the statement.

A Denial from the Senate President

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied saying that Northerners would be made to suffer between January and May if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.

Akpabio described the statement attributed to him as a “complete fabrication” , challenging those circulating the claim to produce evidence of where and when he allegedly made the statement.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President said there was no video, audio recording, speech, interview, press release, transcript or credible news report in which he made the alleged remark.

The statement was titled, “Desperate and Dangerous Lie: Produce the Evidence or Withdraw It”.

A Photograph Is Not Evidence

Akpabio said a photograph bearing the alleged quotation was not evidence of the statement, describing it as “an allegation wearing typography”.

He challenged the alleged sponsor of the material, Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, whom he said was identified on his verified Facebook profile as being associated with the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and Coordinator of ADC-NYAF, Kano State, to produce the original evidence.

“Produce the original and unedited video or audio recording showing precisely where, when and before whom Senator Akpabio made the alleged statement. Name the occasion. Give the date and venue. Provide the complete recording, not a conveniently edited fragment,” he said.

A Warning Against Ethnic Incitement

Akpabio said political opposition was legitimate but warned against what he described as the use of fabricated statements to inflame ethnic sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the 2027 political contest should be based on records, policies, achievements, failures and competing visions for the country rather than what he described as fabricated quotations capable of threatening national unity.

“This is not legitimate political opposition. It is calculated incitement designed to manufacture fear, resentment and hostility between Northern Nigerians and a national leader from the South,” he said.

A Record of Cross-Regional Cooperation

He argued that his political relationships, appointments and legislative activities contradicted the allegation that he was hostile towards the North.

Akpabio noted that several Northerners served in his office and cited his working relationship with Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin of Kano State, as evidence of his political cooperation across regional lines.

He also pointed to legislation establishing the North-West Development Commission and the North-Central Development Commission, as well as federal institutions in Kano and Zamfara states, as examples of initiatives he said demonstrated his commitment to development across the country.

A Call for Verification

Akpabio urged Nigerians to verify the source of politically sensitive claims before sharing them on social media.

“A quotation of this gravity cannot be authenticated by repetition, likes, shares or the number of Facebook accounts carrying it,” he said.

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A Lesson for Nigeria

Akpabio’s denial is a reminder that fake news is a weapon of political warfare.

For Nigeria, the lesson is clear: verify before you share. The same leaders who fabricate quotes will never allow their own children to be misled.

Demand evidence. Reject misinformation. And never forget that the truth is always worth waiting for.