By George Ozalla
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has denied a social media report claiming that he threatened that Northerners would suffer if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.
The allegation, which was circulated on social media, was attributed to Akpabio and sparked reactions in political circles.
But Akpabio, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and Official Spokesperson to the President of the Senate, Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed the claim as false and challenged those behind it to produce evidence of where and when he allegedly made the statement.
Eyiboh demanded the original video or audio recording of the purported statement, including details of the date, venue and occasion where Akpabio was alleged to have made the remark.
He also challenged those who reposted the claim to identify its original source instead of continuing to circulate an unverified statement.
According to Eyiboh, the allegation was intended to create tension between Northern and Southern Nigerians and portray Akpabio as hostile to the interests of the North.
He pointed to Akpabio’s political record, including the support he received from Northern lawmakers during his emergence as Senate President in 2023, as evidence that the allegation did not reflect his relationship with the region.
Eyiboh also cited Akpabio’s working relationship with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of Kano State and legislative initiatives targeted at development in Northern Nigeria.
Among them, he listed the North-West Development Commission and North-Central Development Commission, as well as legislation establishing federal institutions in Kano and Zamfara states.
The spokesman recalled Akpabio’s visit to Borno State following the devastating floods in Maiduguri, saying the Senate contributed ₦74 million towards assistance for victims, while the two chambers of the National Assembly provided a combined ₦174 million.
Eyiboh urged Nigerians to verify political statements before sharing them, particularly when such claims could inflame ethnic sentiments.
He challenged those responsible for the allegation to provide evidence or withdraw the claim and apologise publicly.
He urged political actors and their supporters to focus on policies, records and ideas ahead of the 2027 elections rather than exploit ethnic divisions.
