Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio has tackled social media posts linking him to comments mocking United States President Donald Trump for threats to carry out military action in Nigeria.
Akpabio who described the statement as “completely fabricated, malicious, and reckless”, said through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, on Monday.
The post which was published by a social media platform known as Rant HQ, quoted Akpabio allegedly saying, “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.”
But, in his reaction, Akpabio’s media office denied ever issuing such a statement — “not publicly, privately, in writing, or in conversation.”
It reads in part, “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.
“Senator Akpabio is a statesman of global repute and a respected advocate of international friendship, diplomacy, and mutual respect among nations.
“He holds President Donald Trump in high regard as a historic figure and a leader of a great nation.
“He would never comment on internal matters of the United States, nor issue any statement that falls within the exclusive domain of Nigeria’s executive arm of government or the nation’s foreign policy establishment,” the statement added.
The Senate President’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.
“We warn those who trade in misinformation to desist from peddling unverified and fabricated stories just to chase online traffic. Freedom of expression is not freedom to lie.”
