The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has denied ever making a “reckless or insulting” statement against former U.S. President Donald Trump, following Trump’s recent threat to launch military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
Akpabio, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, said the claim being circulated by a media platform that he insulted Trump was false, malicious, and entirely fabricated.
The Senate President was reported by the unnamed platform to have allegedly said: “The killing is taking place in Nigeria, not in the USA. Trump should focus on the U.S. Nigerians are not complaining about the killings; we are fully satisfied with the condition of Nigeria.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, Eyiboh described the report as an attempt to incite tension between Senator Akpabio and President Trump, as well as between Nigeria and its international partners.
“Our attention has been drawn to a malicious and completely fabricated post published by a platform, falsely attributing a reckless and imaginary statement to the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio,” Eyiboh said.
“The post is a total falsehood — a product of mischief and a desperate attempt to cause misunderstanding. For the avoidance of doubt, the Senate President never made such a statement not publicly, privately, in writing, or in conversation,” he added.
The media aide challenged the publishers of the false report to produce any evidence — video, audio, or written — to support their claims.
He said the accompanying photograph used by the fake report, showing Akpabio at an official event with other senators, was deliberately used to deceive readers and give false credibility to the made-up story.
“That image was taken at a legitimate government function, but it has been manipulated and attached to a fabricated quote that was never uttered by him,” Eyiboh clarified.
Eyiboh also stressed that Senator Akpabio is a statesman of international standing, known for promoting friendship, diplomacy, and mutual respect among nations.
“Senator Akpabio is a statesman of global repute and a respected advocate of international friendship. He holds President Donald Trump in high regard as a historic figure and leader of a great nation,” Eyiboh said.
“He would never make any comment about internal matters of the United States or issue any statement that falls within the exclusive powers of Nigeria’s Executive arm or its foreign policy establishment,” he added.
The statement described the publication as an act of “digital recklessness” and “a deliberate attempt to tarnish reputations, create confusion, and inflame diplomatic sentiments.”
Eyiboh urged Nigerians and the international community to ignore the fake report, assuring that the Senate President’s office remains committed to truth, transparency, and responsible communication.
“The Office of the President of the Senate remains committed to transparency, truth, and responsible communication — both in Nigeria and on the international stage,” the statement concluded.
The controversy began after Donald Trump reportedly threatened possible military intervention in Nigeria, claiming the move was to protect Christians allegedly being persecuted in the country. The comments have since generated widespread reactions from Nigerian leaders, activists, and religious groups.
While some foreign observers have accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians in certain parts of the North, the federal government and several traditional and political leaders have dismissed such claims, saying the country’s security challenges are criminal and political in nature, not religious.
Akpabio’s denial follows growing concern about the spread of fake news on social media, especially on issues involving international relations. In recent years, public officials in Nigeria have been frequent targets of false online publications, often shared widely before being verified.
The Senate President, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, is known for his calm diplomatic approach and close working relationship with both domestic and international partners. His office reaffirmed that he would continue to support dialogue and cooperation between Nigeria and other world powers in addressing shared challenges.
“We must not allow fake news to destroy relationships built over time. The Senate President believes in diplomacy and mutual respect,” Eyiboh said.
