Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has alleged that individuals criticising President Bola Tinubu and his supporters on social media are being paid, urging northern youths to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Akpabio spoke on Wednesday when members of the Arewa Revival Project, a youth group comprising representatives from the 19 northern states, visited him at his office.
The delegation, led by its coordinator, Mustafa Ibrahim, also presented an award to the Senate President in recognition of his contributions to nation-building.
While appreciating the recognition, Akpabio encouraged the youths to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, stressing the need to educate Nigerians on the benefits of continuity in government.
He said, “Whatever we are doing today, we are doing it to stabilise your future and ensure the survival of Nigeria. So it is good that you are seeing it.
“It is not going to be easy for you because most of those who are attacking the President and attacking these young men on social media are being paid. You are not being paid.
“You may not be able to have the kind of energy and time with them. But once in a while, gather the youth together and let them see the truth and know the truth. That attacking government that is working well for them, trying to bring uncertainty is not the best.”
The Senate President also defended the Federal Government’s economic policies, particularly its tax reforms, arguing that the administration had taken steps to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil and broaden the economy.
He said, “I expect the Nigerian youth to rise above social media propaganda because this President has managed to take us out of a mono-economy- an economy that was dependent only on crude oil. He has brought innovations to bear through the tax reform system, through tinkering with anachronistic laws.
“No President has achieved the level of development that he has done in this country today since independence. The naysayers will not want to say so. But I’m very proud, and members of the National Assembly are very proud. We hold our heads very high and say, yes, we have given him a pass mark and that we have endorsed him to come for a second term in office.
“I give glory to God that Nigeria is still surviving and surviving because we have a President who thinks and somebody who wants to face challenges, and he is
facing the challenges.”
Akpabio urged the youths to participate actively in shaping the country’s future, insisting that the administration’s policies were designed to improve their long-term prospects.
He also called on them to counter what he described as social media propaganda through direct engagement with Nigerians at the grassroots.
Tinubu is expected to seek a second term in 2027, with opposition parties preparing to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in the general election.
On insecurity, Akpabio expressed optimism that the proposed establishment of state police would soon be realised, noting that the constitutional amendment process was approaching completion.
He said several state Houses of Assembly had supported the proposal, which advocates of decentralised policing believe would enable states to respond more effectively to local security challenges.
“As I speak with you now, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, it may not take us a month before we have a state police system – decentralised policing in the country – because about 30 states have endorsed the amendment to the Nigerian constitution to bring about a state police system, which will further increase the security of the nation.
“I always tell them that the devil that you see today, you will soon see them no more. Very soon, we shall overcome the insecurity that we face today. So feel confident as you go round campaigning,” Akpabio said.
Earlier, Ibrahim said the award was in recognition of Akpabio’s contributions to national development and the achievements of the National Assembly under his leadership.
