I didn’t say we’ll make Northerners suffer if Tinubu loses in 2027 — Akpabio

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday denied making a statement indicating that Northerners would be made to suffer dearly if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.

Akpabio, in denying the statement linked to a purported Facebook post by one Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, described it as “a fabrication.”

Akpabio’s reaction was conveyed through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Honourable Eseme Eyiboh, in Abuja on Wednesday, in which he challenged the poster to back up his claim.

According to Eyiboh, the controversial Facebook post reads: “We will make sure Northerners suffer from January to May if Tinubu loses the election.”

Denying that the Senate President ever made such a statement, Eyiboh wrote: “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.”

Eyiboh specifically challenged Umar Ammar, whom he alleged identified with the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and was the Coordinator of ADC-NYAF, Kano State, to produce the original material where Akpabio allegedly made the statement.

He also noted that if Ammar merely reposted the material, he should identify its original source and provide the publication from which he obtained it, adding that those responsible for creating or disseminating the alleged fabrication should be identified and penalised according to due process.

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Eyiboh described the purported quotation as “calculated incitement” aimed at creating fear and hostility between Northern Nigerians and the President, stressing that political contests should be based on ideas, records and credible alternatives rather than fabricated statements.

He also cited Akpabio’s political relationships and legislative record as evidence against the allegation, noting that the Senate President has northern political allies and aides and works closely with the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who hails from Kano State.

As proof of Akpabio’s support for the North, he recalled that the National Assembly, under his leadership, passed legislation establishing the North-West Development Commission, the North-Central Development Commission and other laws establishing a Federal Polytechnic in Rano, Kano State, and a Federal University of Health Sciences in Tsafe, Zamfara State.

He further noted that Akpabio visited Borno State following the devastating Maiduguri floods, while the National Assembly provided financial assistance to victims. He added that the Senate had also supported legislation on student loans, minimum wage, security, education and economic development.

Eyiboh urged Nigerians not to circulate the alleged quotation without primary evidence, saying: “The burden of proof rests squarely upon those making and circulating the allegation.”

He called on political parties to ensure that the 2027 contest remained truthful and responsible, warning that ethnic divisions should not be exploited for electoral advantage.