Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has denied reports that he threatened Northerners with suffering between January and May if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.
Akpabio dismissed the alleged statement as a “complete fabrication”, challenging those circulating it to provide evidence showing where, when and before whom he made the remark.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, 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 comment.
The statement, titled, “Desperate and Dangerous Lie: Produce the Evidence or Withdraw It,” said a photograph containing the alleged quotation could not constitute proof of the claim.
Akpabio described the photograph as “an allegation wearing typography” and challenged its alleged sponsor, 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.
He also challenged those who merely reposted the material to identify its original source and produce the publication from which the alleged statement was obtained.
According to the Senate President, while political opposition is legitimate, fabricating statements capable of inflaming ethnic sentiments is dangerous, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that the forthcoming political contest should focus on records, policies, achievements, failures and competing visions for Nigeria, rather than fabricated quotations capable of undermining 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.
Akpabio further argued that his political relationships, appointments and legislative activities contradicted claims that he was hostile towards Northerners.
He cited his working relationship with Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin of Kano State, as evidence of cooperation across regional lines, while also pointing to the establishment of the North-West Development Commission and North-Central Development Commission.
The Senate President also referenced the establishment of federal institutions in Kano and Zamfara states, as well as his visit to Borno State following the devastating floods in Maiduguri and the National Assembly’s financial intervention to support victims.
He said the Senate had equally supported legislation covering student loans, minimum wage, security, education and economic development, stressing that the initiatives were designed to benefit Nigerians irrespective of their region.
Akpabio urged Nigerians to verify the origins 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.
He maintained that the burden of proof rested on those alleging that he made the statement, arguing that he could not reasonably be expected to prove that he did not make an unidentified statement at an unspecified place and time.
Akpabio called on political parties and their supporters to ensure that the 2027 election campaign remained “truthful, responsible and Nigerian”.
“Let the 2027 contest be vigorous. Let political parties interrogate records, challenge policies, expose failures, defend achievements and present competing visions for Nigeria,” he said.
“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.”
