President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) over a viral statement allegedly attributed to him that he says is false and inflammatory.
The statement reportedly circulating online claimed that Akpabio warned that people from Northern Nigeria would suffer if President Bola Tinubu lost the 2027 presidential election.
Akpabio Denies Making Viral Statement
Akpabio’s media aide, Mr Jackson Udom, said the Senate President did not make the statement and described the message as a fabricated publication designed to create division.
According to Udom, the alleged statement was shared alongside Akpabio’s photograph and official title, giving the impression that it was an authentic comment.
He said there was no evidence showing when, where or through which platform Akpabio supposedly made the remarks.
Petition Requests DSS Investigation
The petition, signed by Akpabio’s Chief of Staff, Mr Chinedu Akubueze, asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the origin and circulation of the material.
Udom said authorities should identify those responsible for creating, publishing and distributing the alleged false content.
He described the publication as an attempt to damage Akpabio’s reputation and portray him as promoting regional hostility.
Senate President’s Office Questions Source of Graphic
The statement from Akpabio’s office said the viral graphic lacked identifiable details that could verify its authenticity.
Udom noted that it did not contain: A recognised publisher, a verifiable source, a recorded speech, video or audio evidence, any credible media report
He argued that the material appeared designed to mislead members of the public.
Persons Mentioned as Early Amplifiers
Udom said preliminary checks on publicly available Facebook posts identified some individuals who allegedly shared or amplified the graphic at an early stage.
Those mentioned include Abdullai Musa, Uzoma Chilaka and Ibrahim Ammar.
However, Akpabio’s office stressed that the individuals should not be considered guilty before any investigation is completed.
It said their online activities could help investigators trace the origin of the material, including the creator and distribution network.
Call for Investigation Into Digital Content
The Senate President’s office said investigators should examine available evidence, including publication records, communication trails and the origin of the image.
The development comes amid increased political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with concerns over the spread of misinformation and divisive content online.
