Senate Breaks Silence Over Viral Claim Linking Akpabio to Threat Against Northerners

The Office of the Senate President has reacted strongly to a viral claim alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio threatened northerners ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The controversy began after a video circulated online claiming Akpabio warned that the North must support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next election or risk being forced out of Nigeria. The statement quickly sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians questioning its authenticity and condemning the alleged remark.

However, the Senate President’s office has now dismissed the allegation, describing it as completely false, dangerous, and politically motivated.

In an official statement released in Abuja by Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Jibril Tafida, the Senate President denied ever making such comments. According to the statement, the viral claim was deliberately fabricated to mislead the public and fuel unnecessary ethnic and political tension at a time when conversations around the 2027 elections are already heating up.

“We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that the President of the Senate never made such a statement. This claim is completely false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension,” the statement read.

The Senate President’s office further alleged that the video was part of a coordinated attempt to drag Akpabio into controversy and create division among Nigerians. It warned that the continuous spread of false political narratives could have serious consequences for national unity if left unchecked.

The statement also called on security agencies to investigate the matter and arrest Garus Gololo, the man featured in the viral video. According to the Senate President’s office, anyone making such serious allegations should be able to provide clear evidence.

“We therefore call on the security agencies in Nigeria to arrest Garus Gololo immediately and compel him to provide evidence of where and when the President of the Senate made such a statement,” the statement added.

Beyond the denial, the Senate President’s office accused Gololo of repeatedly attacking President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress for political reasons. It claimed his actions were aimed at stirring public anger and deepening political divisions across the country.

The development has once again brought attention to the growing spread of misinformation on social media, especially as political activities ahead of 2027 begin to gather momentum. In recent years, viral videos, manipulated statements, and misleading political claims have increasingly shaped public conversations in Nigeria, often creating confusion before the truth eventually emerges.

For many Nigerians, the issue goes beyond politics. Statements capable of triggering ethnic tension are taken seriously in a country where regional and political sensitivities remain delicate. That is why the Senate President’s office insisted that citizens must be careful about the kind of information they share online.

The office also urged Nigerians, particularly those in the northern region, to ignore the allegation and avoid comments capable of escalating tension. It stressed the need for responsible political engagement and warned against using propaganda to influence public opinion ahead of future elections.

As preparations for the 2027 general election gradually begin to take shape, political narratives are expected to become even more intense. Analysts believe misinformation campaigns may also increase as politicians, parties, and supporters battle for public attention and influence.

For now, the Senate President’s office maintains that the viral claim against Akpabio is entirely false and should not be taken seriously. The statement ended with a call for unity, caution, and responsible public discourse as the country moves closer to another major political season.