Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed a viral social media post falsely attributing to him a comment downplaying killings in Nigeria and criticizing former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing it as a reckless fabrication aimed at creating diplomatic tension.
The post, circulated by a platform known as Rant HQ, 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.”
In a swift rebuttal on Sunday, Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, described the post as “a total falsehood, a product of mischief, and a desperate attempt to incite misunderstanding between Senator Akpabio and President Trump, as well as between Nigeria and its international partners.”
Eyiboh stressed that the Senate President never made such a statement “publicly, privately, in writing, or in conversation,” and challenged the authors to provide any evidence to substantiate their claims
He explained that the photograph attached to the post, showing Akpabio at an official event with other senators, was deceitfully used to give credibility to the fake quote.
“Senator Akpabio is a statesman of global repute and a respected advocate of international friendship, diplomacy, and mutual respect among nations,” Eyiboh said.
“He holds President Trump in high regard as a historic figure and a leader of a great nation.”
He cautioned purveyors of misinformation to desist from what he termed “digital recklessness” and urged the public to disregard the viral publication.
“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 added.
Trump last Friday said Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ — but that is the least of it,” the US president said.
He added that when Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered as is happening in Nigeria — 3,100 compared to 4,476 worldwide — something must be done.
While acknowledging global interest in human rights and religious freedom, the Nigerian government stressed that reports of widespread persecution of Christians were exaggerated and failed to capture the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the government said Nigeria remains committed to combating terrorism, promoting interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all citizens regardless of faith.
