Kinsmen of Senate President Godswill Akpabio have dismissed allegations by a social media activist, Haruna Gololo, who claimed that Akpabio made inciting comments against the North ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a viral video, Haruna Garba, who is well-known on social media as Garus Gololo, accused the Senate President of disrespecting the North. He claimed that Akpabio said that “with or without the North, President Bola Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election.”
But the group, operating under the umbrella of the Isong Annang Ethnic Forum in Akwa Ibom State, in a statement issued in Uyo on Monday, defended the Senate President, saying it had investigated the claims and found the allegations to be false and orchestrated to tarnish his image.
The statement which was signed by the National President of the group, Prince Mendy Archibong; National Secretary, Elder Mfon Ebong; and National Women Leader, Hon. Emilia Udom, called on the originator of the allegation to provide proof.
“As a forum we have looked into the claims made by Gololo which he maliciously attributed to our son. We found nothing to prove our son guilty. “It is therefore expedient to state that senator Akpabio did not say anything to undermine the support and role the people of Northern Nigeria would play in the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the year 2027.” the statement said.
The group described Akpabio as a respected nationalist who understands the importance of building unity with Nigerians regardless of tribe, faith or region.
The group said, “Distinguished Senator Akpabio is a renowned nationalist with a political leadership pedigree that reflects his deep respect for the cultural and religious diversities in our country.
“He understands the expediencies of cultivating a warm, homogeneous bond of brotherhood with all Nigerians from every tribe, faith and region, despite their distinctive heterogeneity.
“His respect for the diversities of our nation predates his tenure as President of the Senate. This is evident in major and basic lifestyle choices that our son made from when he served meritoriously as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.”
The group urged the leadership of Arewa to ignore what it described as a campaign of calumny and also called on Northern elites to support the second-term bid of President Bola Tinubu in the interest of justice, fairness and preservation of political cooperation between the North and South.
“The forum urges respected Arewa leaders and groups to dismiss the inciteful and divisive campaign of calumny fabricated by rampaging anti-unity propagandists who seek to sow disaffection and disharmony among ethnic groups and regions in the country especially as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
“For justice, fairness and for the purpose of maintaining the long history of the shared political cooperation between the North and South, the forum calls on the Northern Nigeria elites to support President Bola Tinubu’s second term in 2027 to balance the power rotation between the North and South.”
The group reiterated its support and solidarity with Tinubu and the Senate President and pledged to remain committed to mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
“Isong Annang Ethnic Forum reiterates its unalloyed support and solidarity to President Bola Tinubu and Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio and pledges to remain faithfully committed to promote mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence between the Annang nation and other ethnic groups and regions in Nigeria,” the statement added.
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