By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
The Office of the President of the Senate has thrown down the gauntlet over a viral statement allegedly attributed to Senator Godswill Akpabio, challenging those circulating the material to produce evidence or withdraw what it described as a dangerous political fabrication.
The controversy centres on an alleged quotation claiming that Akpabio vowed that Northerners would “suffer from January to May” if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 election. The Senate President’s media office has categorically denied that he ever made such a statement.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Office said there was no video, audio recording, speech, interview, transcript, press release or credible news report in existence showing Akpabio making the alleged remark.
Eyiboh said the circulation of a photograph bearing the controversial words did not amount to proof, arguing that text placed beneath an image could not establish that the person pictured actually made the statement.
The statement specifically challenged Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, whom it identified as being associated with the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and as Coordinator of ADC-NYAF in Kano State, to produce the evidence behind the allegation.
The Senate President’s aide demanded the original and unedited video or audio recording allegedly containing the statement, as well as details of the occasion, date, venue and audience before whom the words were supposedly spoken.
He also asked those behind the material to identify the journalists and media organisations that allegedly witnessed or reported the statement, insisting that Nigerians should be allowed to examine the evidence for themselves.
According to Eyiboh, anyone who claims to have simply reposted the material should disclose where it was obtained and identify the original publisher. He said the entire chain of publication should be established so that responsibility could be determined on the basis of evidence.
The statement accused the alleged fabrication of being an attempt to exploit ethnic divisions for political advantage, warning that Nigeria could ill afford another cycle of inflammatory rhetoric capable of setting one region against another.
Eyiboh argued that Akpabio’s political record did not support the portrayal of the Senate President as an enemy of Northern Nigeria. He pointed to his political relationships, appointments and legislative alliances across the region.
He cited Akpabio’s partnership with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of Kano and recalled that Akpabio won the Senate presidency with 63 votes against 46, an outcome which, according to the statement, reflected support cutting across regional boundaries.
The media aide also listed legislative measures and institutions established under Akpabio’s leadership, including the North-West Development Commission, the North-Central Development Commission, the Federal Polytechnic in Rano, Kano State, and the Federal University of Health Sciences in Tsafe, Zamfara State.
He further recalled Akpabio’s visit to Maiduguri following devastating floods in Borno State and the National Assembly’s intervention, with the Senate contributing ₦74 million to the victims as part of a combined ₦174 million intervention by both chambers.
Eyiboh maintained that political freedom does not amount to a licence to invent explosive ethnic claims, urging Nigerians not to become “transmission belts” for unverified social media allegations. He said those making the allegation bore the burden of proving it.
He consequently issued a blunt demand: “Produce the original video, produce the original audio, produce an authenticated transcript, name the occasion, give the date and venue, and identify the media organisations that witnessed or reported the statement.” If the evidence cannot be produced, he said, the material should be withdrawn and its sponsors should publicly apologise.
As the 2027 elections approach, Eyiboh urged political parties and their supporters to focus on records, policies, achievements and alternative visions rather than ethnic propaganda. He stressed that “the North is not an electoral weapon, the South is not an enemy, and ethnicity is not campaign ammunition,” concluding with the emphatic message: “Produce the evidence or withdraw the lie.”
