2027: Akpabio Slams ‘Dangerous Lie’, Says I Never Said Northerners Will Suffer If Tinubu Loses
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied a viral report that he threatened Northerners with suffering 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 behind it to produce evidence.
In a statement on Wednesday titled “Desperate and Dangerous Lie: Produce the Evidence or Withdraw It”, issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President said there is no video, audio, speech, interview, press release, transcript or credible news report where he made such a remark.
He said a photograph bearing the alleged quotation was not evidence, describing it as “an allegation wearing typography.”
Akpabio challenged the alleged sponsor of the material, Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, who he said is identified on his verified Facebook profile as being associated with the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and Coordinator of ADC-NYAF, Kano State, to provide proof.
“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,” Akpabio demanded.
The Senate President said political opposition is legitimate but warned against using fabricated statements to inflame ethnic sentiments ahead of 2027.
“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.
He argued that his political relationships and legislative records contradict the allegation of hostility towards the North, citing that several Northerners serve in his office and his close working relationship with Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin of Kano State.
He also listed the establishment of the North-West Development Commission and North-Central Development Commission, as well as federal institutions in Kano and Zamfara, and his visit to Borno after the Maiduguri floods, as evidence of his commitment to national development.
Akpabio urged Nigerians to verify sensitive political 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, insisting the burden of proof lies on accusers.
He called for a responsible campaign ahead of 2027.
“The North is not an electoral weapon. The South is not an enemy. Ethnicity is not campaign ammunition. And Nigeria’s unity must never become collateral damage in anybody’s campaign for power,” Akpabio added.
