General News
“Produce the Evidence or Withdraw the Lie” — Akpabio’s Office
The Office of the President of the Senate has dismissed as a complete fabrication a statement attributed to Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, that “We will make sure Northerners suffer from January to May if Tinubu loses the election.”
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate, Rt Hon Eseme Eyiboh, the office said Senator Akpabio never made such a statement, stressing that there is no video, audio recording, speech, interview, press release, transcript or credible news report containing the alleged remarks.
It said a photograph with words placed beneath it does not constitute evidence, describing it as “merely an allegation wearing typography.”
The statement challenged Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, whose verified Facebook profile identifies him with the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and as Coordinator of ADC-NYAF, Kano State, as well as others involved in creating, publishing or circulating the material, to produce the evidence. It added that Ammar’s verified Facebook profile contains other inflammatory political materials which, in its view, should be carefully scrutinised by the appropriate authorities where such content may promote ethnic hostility, public disorder or other conduct prohibited by law.
The office demanded the original and unedited video or audio recording allegedly showing where, when and before whom Senator Akpabio made the statement. It also requested the occasion, date, venue, complete recording, and details of the journalists and media organisations that covered the event.
It further said that if Ammar or anyone else merely reposted the material, they should identify the original source and provide the publication from which it was obtained. According to the statement, the chain of publication should be established, while those responsible for creating, knowingly republishing or coordinating the dissemination of the alleged fabrication should be identified on the evidence and held accountable in accordance with the law.
The statement urged anyone unable to produce evidence to withdraw the material, apologise publicly and stop using what it described as dangerous ethnic propaganda to poison Nigeria’s political atmosphere.
It argued that the alleged statement was calculated to create fear, resentment and hostility between Northern Nigerians and a national leader from the South, warning that Nigeria had already paid a heavy price for the reckless exploitation of ethnicity.
The statement also pointed to Senator Akpabio’s political relationships, appointments and public record as evidence contradicting the allegation. It noted that he has longstanding friends, associates and political allies across Northern Nigeria, while several Northerners serve in his office, including Alhaji Dr Jibril Lawal Tafida, his Special Adviser on NGO and Diaspora Matters.
It further recalled that Akpabio’s bid for the Senate presidency received the backing of prominent Northern political leaders and senators, while Northern organisations publicly endorsed him in the interest of equity and national unity. He was elected Senate President with 63 votes against 46, while his governing partnership is with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of Kano, who emerged unopposed on the same day.
The statement said the Senate under Akpabio also passed legislation establishing the North-West Development Commission to address infrastructural, economic and security challenges in the region. It also cited the passage of the North-Central Development Commission legislation, later signed into law, as well as laws establishing a Federal Polytechnic in Rano, Kano State, and a Federal University of Health Sciences in Tsafe, Zamfara State.
According to the statement, these interventions are aimed at promoting education, reconstruction, employment and development in Northern communities and do not support the allegation that Akpabio intends to make Northerners suffer.
It also recalled Akpabio’s visit to Borno State following devastating floods in Maiduguri, when he mobilised National Assembly support for the victims. The Senate contributed ₦74 million as part of a combined ₦174 million intervention by both chambers.
The statement added that the Senate has supported legislation on student loans, minimum wage, security, education and economic development, measures from which Nigerians, including those in the North, benefit.
The Office of the Senate President warned those responsible for creating or knowingly disseminating the alleged fabrication that freedom of political expression does not permit the invention of explosive ethnic threats and their false attribution to individuals.
It urged Nigerians not to become “unwitting transmission belts” for the alleged falsehood, advising them to demand primary evidence before sharing such material.
It stressed that repetition, likes and social media shares cannot transform an unverified quotation into truth.
The statement maintained that the burden of proof rests on those making and circulating the allegation, noting that Senator Akpabio cannot reasonably be required to prove that he did not utter words allegedly made at an unidentified place, on an unidentified date and before an unidentified audience.
It therefore reiterated its demand for the original video or audio, an authenticated transcript, the occasion, date and venue, as well as the identities of media organisations that witnessed or reported the alleged statement.
It called on political parties to make the 2027 election contest vigorous by interrogating records, challenging policies, exposing failures, defending achievements and presenting competing visions for Nigeria, while keeping the contest truthful, responsible and national in character.
The statement concluded with a warning that the North should not be treated as an electoral weapon, the South as an enemy, or ethnicity as campaign ammunition, stressing that Nigeria’s unity must not become collateral damage in the pursuit of political power.
“PRODUCE THE EVIDENCE OR WITHDRAW THE LIE,” it declared.