2027: Akpabio Denies Threatening Northerners With Hardship If Tinubu Loses

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied reports that he threatened Northerners with hardship 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 it to provide evidence showing where and when he allegedly 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 statement.

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

Akpabio said a photograph containing the alleged quotation could not be regarded as proof, describing it as “an allegation wearing typography.”

He specifically challenged the alleged sponsor of the material, Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, whom he said identified himself on his verified Facebook profile as being associated with the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and Coordinator of ADC-NYAF in 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.

The Senate President also urged anyone who had reposted the claim to identify its original source and provide the publication from which the alleged quotation was obtained.

Akpabio acknowledged the legitimacy of political opposition but warned against the circulation of what he described as fabricated statements capable of inflaming ethnic tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the coming election should focus on political records, policies, achievements, failures and competing visions for Nigeria rather than unverified quotations that could threaten 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,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President also pointed to his political relationships and legislative activities as evidence, according to him, that he had worked across regional lines.

He cited his relationship with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of Kano State and legislation establishing the North-West and North-Central Development Commissions among examples of initiatives he said demonstrated commitment to development across different regions.

Akpabio also recalled his visit to Borno State following the devastating Maiduguri floods and the National Assembly’s financial intervention to support victims.

He further referenced legislation and policies relating to student loans, minimum wage, security, education and economic development, arguing that such measures were designed to benefit Nigerians regardless of their region.

The Senate President urged Nigerians to verify 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.

Akpabio maintained that the responsibility to provide evidence rests with those claiming that he made the statement.

He urged political parties and their supporters to ensure that the 2027 election campaign remains focused on issues and national development.

“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.”