President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has challenged those circulating an alleged anti-North statement attributed to him to produce evidence of when and where he made the purported remarks.
Akpabio, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, described the statement as a “complete fabrication” and alerted security agencies to investigate its origin and circulation.
The alleged statement, which has been circulating on social media, purportedly quotes Akpabio as saying: “We will make sure Northerners suffer from January to May if Tinubu loses the election.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and titled “A Desperate and Dangerous Lie: Produce The Evidence Or Withdraw It,” Akpabio said he never made the statement.
According to the Senate President’s media office, there is no video, audio recording, speech, interview, press release, transcript or credible news report showing that Akpabio uttered the words.
It specifically challenged Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, whom it identified as a supporter of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organization and Coordinator of ADC-NYAF, Kano State, as well as others involved in circulating the material, 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,” the statement said.
Akpabio’s office also demanded the date and venue of the alleged event, the identity of journalists or media organizations that covered it and the complete recording rather than an edited fragment.
It further said that if Ammar or anyone else merely reposted the material, they should identify the original source from which it was obtained.
The Senate President’s office warned that the alleged statement could fuel ethnic tension, describing its circulation as “calculated incitement” capable of manufacturing fear and hostility between Northern Nigerians and a national leader from the South.
It argued that Akpabio’s political relationships and record contradicted the allegation, pointing to his partnership with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of Kano and the appointment of Northerners to positions in his office.
The statement also cited legislation and interventions under Akpabio’s leadership, including the establishment of the North-West Development Commission and North-Central Development Commission, as well as federal institutions in Kano and Zamfara States.
It recalled Akpabio’s visit to Maiduguri following devastating floods in Borno State and said the National Assembly contributed ₦174 million to assist victims, with the Senate providing ₦74 million.
Akpabio’s office said those responsible for creating or knowingly disseminating the alleged fabrication should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
It urged Nigerians to demand primary evidence before sharing politically explosive claims on social media.
The statement concluded with a call for political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 elections to campaign on records, policies and competing visions rather than ethnic divisions.
“The North is not an electoral weapon. The South is not an enemy. Ethnicity is not campaign ammunition,” it said.