Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied threatening to make Northerners suffer if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.
Akpabio described the statement circulating on social media as a fabrication and challenged its promoter to provide evidence showing that he made the alleged remark.
His position was conveyed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The controversy followed a purported Facebook post attributed to Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, which claimed: “We will make sure Northerners suffer from January to May if Tinubu loses the election.”
Eyiboh said there was no credible evidence linking the statement to Akpabio.
“There is no video, audio recording, speech, interview, press release, transcript or credible news report in which those words were uttered by him.
“A photograph carrying words placed beneath it is not evidence; it is merely an allegation wearing typography.”
Akpabio challenges poster to provide evidence
Eyiboh challenged Umar Ammar, whom he alleged identified with the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and served as Coordinator of ADC-NYAF in Kano State, to produce the original material where Akpabio allegedly made the statement.
He said that if Ammar only reposted the material, he should identify its original source and provide the publication from which he obtained it.
Eyiboh also called for those responsible for creating or circulating the alleged fabrication to be identified and dealt with according to due process.
Akpabio aide calls post inciting
The Senate President’s media aide described the alleged quotation as “calculated incitement”, arguing that it could fuel fear and hostility between Northern Nigerians and the President.
He said political contests should be based on ideas, records and credible alternatives rather than fabricated statements.
Eyiboh also pointed to Akpabio’s political relationships and legislative record as evidence against the allegation.
He noted that the Senate President has northern political allies and aides and works closely with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who represents Kano State.
Aide cites North-focused legislation
Eyiboh further highlighted legislation passed by the National Assembly under Akpabio’s leadership, including laws establishing the North-West Development Commission and North-Central Development Commission.
He also cited legislation establishing a Federal Polytechnic in Rano, Kano State, and a Federal University of Health Sciences in Tsafe, Zamfara State.
According to Eyiboh, Akpabio also visited Borno State following the devastating Maiduguri floods, while the National Assembly provided financial assistance to victims.
He added that the Senate had supported legislation covering student loans, minimum wage, security, education and economic development.
Eyiboh urges Nigerians to verify claim
Eyiboh urged Nigerians not to circulate the alleged quotation without primary evidence.
“The burden of proof rests squarely upon those making and circulating the allegation,” he said.
He also urged political parties to keep the 2027 election contest truthful and responsible, warning against exploiting ethnic divisions for electoral advantage.
