By Obinna Uballa
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disowned a viral social media post linking him to comments allegedly mocking United States President Donald Trump over his recent threat of military action in Nigeria, describing the statement as “completely fabricated, malicious, and reckless.”
Akpabio’s reaction came through a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, following the circulation of a post published by a social media platform known as Rant HQ.
The controversial post, which has since gone viral, claimed Akpabio said: “The killing is taking place in Nigeria, not in the USA. Trump should focus on the US. Nigerians are not complaining about the killings; we are fully satisfied with the condition of Nigeria.”
The statement generated outrage and heated debate online amid ongoing diplomatic tension following President Trump’s remarks accusing Nigeria of widespread persecution of Christians.
But Akpabio’s media office firmly denied issuing any such comment – “not publicly, privately, in writing, or in conversation.”
“The post is a total falsehood, a product of mischief, and a desperate attempt to incite misunderstanding between Senator Godswill Akpabio and US President Donald Trump, as well as between Nigeria and its international partners,” Eyiboh stated.
He said the photograph of the Senate President used by Rant HQ – taken from an unrelated official event – was “deceptively deployed to lend false credibility to a fabricated quote that was never uttered by him.”
“Senator Akpabio is a statesman of global repute and a respected advocate of international friendship, diplomacy, and mutual respect among nations,” the statement continued. “He holds President Donald Trump in high regard as a historic figure and a leader of a great nation. He would never comment on the internal matters of the United States, nor issue any statement that falls within the exclusive domain of Nigeria’s executive arm of government or its foreign policy establishment.”
Akpabio’s office described the viral post as “a clear act of digital recklessness and a deliberate attempt to sow confusion, tarnish reputations, and inflame unnecessary diplomatic sentiments.”
“We urge the public to ignore this falsehood in its entirety,” Eyiboh added. “Those who trade in misinformation should desist from peddling unverified and fabricated stories merely to chase online traffic. Freedom of expression is not freedom to lie.”
The Senate President’s rebuttal comes amid rising global attention on Nigeria after President Trump’s weekend statement on Truth Social, in which he threatened possible U.S. military intervention, declaring his administration “may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”
Trump’s comments followed his designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged religious persecution, a move that has sharply divided international opinion.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s office reaffirmed that the National Assembly remains focused on its legislative responsibilities and the strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“The Office of the President of the Senate remains committed to transparency, truth, and responsible communication – both in Nigeria and on the international stage,” Eyiboh said.
