Akpabio Denies Anti-North Remark, Petitions DSS Over Viral Graphic

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) over a purported anti-North statement attributed to him and circulated on Facebook and other digital platforms.

Akpabio, through his Chief of Staff, Chinedu Akubueze, asked the intelligence agency to urgently investigate what he described as the “creation and coordinated dissemination” of a false, inflammatory and divisive statement allegedly made by him.

The petition followed the circulation of a graphic bearing Akpabio’s photograph and his designation as President of the Senate. The graphic attributed to him the statement: “Northerners, you will be the ones to suffer the most, if you allow Tinubu to lose the election.”

Akpabio has denied making the statement, insisting that the quotation was fabricated and that there was no credible evidence linking him to it.

According to the petition, no date, venue, speech, interview, video, audio recording, official statement or credible news report has been produced to authenticate the purported comment.

“The President of the Senate did not make this statement,” the petition stated, adding that the graphic contained no identifiable publisher or verifiable source.

Akpabio’s office alleged that the material appeared to have been deliberately manufactured to deceive the public, provoke regional resentment against the Senate President and portray him as threatening people from Northern Nigeria.

The petition also alleged that a preliminary examination of publicly accessible Facebook records identified some of the earliest traceable accounts that amplified the disputed graphic.

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One of those named was Abdullai Musa, who allegedly posted the material in a Facebook group identified as Sheik Muhammad bin Uthman Group 24.

The petition also identified Uzoma Chilaka, whose Facebook post allegedly reproduced the graphic alongside commentary attributed to Boniface Uzoma Chilaka.

It further referred to Engineer Ibrahim Umar Ammar, whose verified Facebook account allegedly reproduced the graphic and similar commentary.

Akpabio’s office, however, stressed that the individuals mentioned in the petition should not be presumed guilty of creating or circulating the alleged false statement.

Instead, they were described as “material persons of interest” whose alleged early and substantial involvement in sharing the material could provide investigators with information needed to establish its origin.

The petition urged the DSS to investigate the publication records, devices and communications of relevant persons and establish the provenance of the disputed image.

It also asked the security agency to determine the identity of the person who created the graphic, its original uploader, possible sponsors and intermediaries, as well as the network through which the material was allegedly distributed.

Akpabio’s media team separately challenged those circulating the allegation to provide evidence that he made the purported statement.

His media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, described the allegation as a “complete fabrication” and said those behind it should produce evidence such as a video, audio recording, speech, transcript, interview, press release or credible news report showing where and when Akpabio made the alleged comment.

The controversy comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with social media playing an increasingly prominent role in political campaigns, commentary and the dissemination of claims about politicians.

The alleged statement has attracted particular attention because of its reference to Northern Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the 2027 presidential election, potentially giving the claim a strong regional and political dimension.

A review by FactWatch also found no credible evidence that Akpabio made the alleged statement. The fact-checking platform reported that it could not establish the quotation through an authentic speech, recording or credible contemporary news report.

Akpabio’s latest action therefore shifts the matter from a social media controversy to a formal request for a DSS investigation into the origin and circulation of the disputed material.

The Senate President’s office wants investigators to establish whether the graphic was deliberately fabricated, who produced it, how it was distributed and whether there was any coordinated effort behind its circulation.

The petition also seeks appropriate action against anyone found to have deliberately created or disseminated the material in violation of Nigerian law.

For now, Akpabio maintains that he did not make the alleged anti-North statement, while the people identified in the petition remain persons of interest and have not been established as guilty of any offence.

The outcome of any investigation by the DSS will determine the origin of the disputed graphic and whether anyone will face further legal action over its alleged creation or dissemination.

Akpabio Denies Anti-North Remark, Petitions DSS Over Viral Graphic

Residents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention

Community Blames Contractor, Ojokoro LCDA Over Neglect as Accidents Claim Lives

Residents of Ademola Abiola Street in Alakuko, Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos State, have expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the entrance to their street, which they say was never properly constructed from the onset.

According to community sources, the street itself was commissioned in June/July 2016 and remains in good condition. However, the entrance to the street has had structural and construction-related issues since its commissioning. Despite repeated complaints lodged with the contractor handling the project, no meaningful action has been taken to address the problem. Subsequent appeals to the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) regarding the deteriorating state of the entrance have also failed to yield any positive results.

The situation has been further compounded by the closure of Adenekan Street, the neighbouring street to Ademola Abiola. Following the closure, Ademola Abiola Street has become the major route linking commuters to the Abeokuta Expressway. Vehicles heading to Sango, Abeokuta, and other destinations now frequently ply the street to access the expressway, resulting in heavy traffic and unprecedented pressure on the already problematic entrance.

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The increased vehicular movement has not only worsened the state of the poorly constructed entrance but has also turned it into a death trap. Several accidents have occurred at the entrance, one of which tragically claimed a life. Residents say the situation has become unbearable, with the heavy volume of vehicles compounding an already dangerous situation.

Speaking on the matter, Barrister Joshua Akindipe, Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA) and a prominent resident of the street, alongside Alhaji Abdulkareem Adebiyi, urged the CDA to urgently intervene and fix the entrance to prevent further loss of life. They stressed that the current state of the entrance poses a serious risk to residents and motorists alike.

The residents also recalled that the Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Barrister Yemisi Rosiji, had promised to fix the road since early last year. However, according to them, that promise remains unfulfilled, leaving the community to grapple with the dangerous consequences of government neglect.

Members of the community are now calling on the relevant authorities, including the Ojokoro LCDA and the Lagos State Government, to urgently intervene before more lives are lost. They insist that the entrance must be properly constructed and fixed, especially given its strategic importance as a major link to the Abeokuta Expressway.

For now, residents continue to live in fear as they navigate the hazardous entrance daily, hoping that their cries will finally be heard before another tragedy strikes.

Residents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention

Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

A 38-year-old woman, Yamini Krishna Lal Yadav, has died in Nagpur, India, after her husband allegedly assaulted her during an argument over cooking and her decision to attend a dance class.

The woman’s husband, Krishna Lal Yadav, 41, has been arrested and booked in connection with her death after a post-mortem examination reportedly revealed serious internal injuries.

The incident occurred in the Mankapur area of Nagpur, Maharashtra, where the couple lived with their two young children.

According to reports, Krishna returned home from work and asked his wife to prepare food for him and the children. Yamini, however, was reportedly preparing to attend a dance class within their housing society and declined to cook at the time.

The disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. Police said the husband was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly assaulted Yamini around her neck and abdomen. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of their children.

After the alleged assault, Yamini complained of severe pain in her neck and abdomen and reportedly asked her husband to get painkillers. He allegedly went to a nearby medical shop but returned after finding it closed.

Her condition later deteriorated, with her abdomen reportedly becoming swollen. She was subsequently taken to a private hospital in the area for treatment but died while receiving medical attention.

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The case initially appeared to be an accidental death, prompting police to send her body for a post-mortem examination.

However, the examination reportedly revealed a fractured neck bone and severe internal injuries, including serious damage to the intestines. Reports also indicated injuries consistent with strangulation and abdominal trauma, prompting investigators to reconsider the circumstances surrounding her death.

Following the post-mortem findings, police questioned Krishna and subsequently arrested him. A murder case was registered against him as investigations continued.

Yamini’s brother reportedly said the family was aware that the couple had experienced disagreements in the past. He said Yamini had occasionally spoken about problems in the marriage but had asked relatives not to intervene because she feared their involvement could worsen the situation.

The family initially believed Yamini had died following a medical emergency and was reportedly shocked when the post-mortem examination revealed evidence of significant physical injuries.

Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Nagpur woman, while the accused remains in custody over the allegations.

The case has renewed concerns about domestic violence, particularly the need for victims experiencing abuse to have access to timely support and protection.

Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class