The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, has dismissed as a “desperate and dangerous lie” a viral statement allegedly attributed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, claiming he threatened that Northerners would suffer if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election.
Eyiboh said Akpabio “never made such a statement” and challenged those circulating the alleged quotation to produce verifiable evidence showing where, when and before whom the Senate President supposedly made the remark.
In a statement, the aide said there was no authentic video, audio recording, speech, interview, press release, transcript or credible media report establishing that Akpabio uttered the alleged words. 
He specifically challenged Engr. Ibrahim Umar Ammar, whom he identified as being associated with the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and ADC-NYAF in Kano State, to release the original and unedited recording of the purported statement.
«“Produce the original and unedited video or audio recording showing precisely where, when and before whom Senator Akpabio made the alleged statement,” Eyiboh demanded.»
He also asked those behind the allegation to identify the occasion, date and venue where the statement was supposedly made, as well as the journalists or media organisations that allegedly witnessed or reported it.
According to Eyiboh, a photograph of Akpabio with words superimposed beneath it cannot constitute credible evidence.
He described such material as “merely an allegation wearing typography” and urged anyone who merely reposted the claim to disclose its original source and provide the first publication from which it was obtained.
Aide Accuses Critics of Ethnic Incitement
Eyiboh accused those circulating the alleged quotation of deliberately exploiting ethnic sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is not legitimate political opposition. It is calculated incitement designed to manufacture fear, resentment and hostility between Northern Nigerians and a national leader from the South,” he said.
The Senate President’s aide argued that Akpabio’s political relationships and legislative record also contradict attempts to portray him as hostile to Northern Nigeria.
He cited Akpabio’s political relationship with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin of Kano, the presence of Northerners among his aides and his backing for legislative measures targeted at development across Northern communities.
Among the initiatives he highlighted were the establishment of the North-West Development Commission and North-Central Development Commission, as well as the Federal Polytechnic in Rano, Kano State, and the Federal University of Health Sciences in Tsafe, Zamfara State.
Eyiboh also recalled Akpabio’s visit to Borno State following the devastating floods in Maiduguri and the National Assembly’s intervention to support victims.
He said the Senate contributed ₦74 million to the relief effort, while the two chambers of the National Assembly provided a combined ₦174 million.
According to him, the Senate under Akpabio has also supported legislation covering student loans, minimum wage, security, education and economic development, which he said were designed to benefit Nigerians regardless of region.
‘Produce Evidence or Withdraw the Claim’
Eyiboh urged Nigerians to verify the authenticity of politically sensitive claims before sharing them online, stressing that the burden of proof rests with those making the allegation.
“The demand is therefore straightforward and categorical: 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,” he said.
He called on political parties and their supporters to focus on records, policies, achievement
