Akpabio denies mocking Trump, says viral post on Christian killings ‘fake and malicious’

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has refuted a viral social media post linking him to comments allegedly ridiculing United States President Donald Trump over his recent threat of military intervention in Nigeria, describing the post as “entirely false, malicious, and reckless.”

In a statement released in Abuja on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said the post, which originated from a platform called Rant HQ, was the work of mischief-makers seeking to create tension between Nigeria and its international allies.

The viral message had quoted Akpabio as 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.”

The alleged comment, which quickly gained traction online, sparked outrage amid rising diplomatic tension following Trump’s remarks accusing Nigeria of widespread persecution of Christians and threatening a possible U.S. military strike.

But Akpabio’s media office firmly denied ever making such a statement.

“The post is a total falsehood, a product of mischief, and a desperate attempt to cause misunderstanding between Senator Godswill Akpabio and President Donald Trump, as well as between Nigeria and its development partners,” Eyiboh stated.

He said the image of Akpabio used by Rant HQ was taken from an unrelated event and “deceptively deployed to lend credibility to a fabricated story.”

“Senator Akpabio is a global statesman and a strong advocate of diplomacy, peace, and mutual respect among nations. He holds President Trump in high esteem and would never make any statement that undermines the foreign policy direction of the Federal Government,” the statement continued.

Akpabio’s media office described the post as “digital recklessness at its peak,” warning those behind it to desist from spreading fake news capable of inflaming diplomatic tensions.

“We urge the public to disregard the falsehood and to always verify information before sharing it. Freedom of speech should never be an excuse for deliberate misinformation,” Eyiboh said.

The Senate President’s clarification comes on the heels of Trump’s weekend post on Truth Social, where he accused the Nigerian government of complicity in alleged Christian persecution and hinted at possible U.S. military intervention to “wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”

Trump’s remarks, which followed his administration’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations, have drawn mixed reactions both within Nigeria and abroad.

Reaffirming his commitment to responsible leadership, Akpabio’s office said the Senate under his watch remains focused on its legislative duties and promoting Nigeria’s global partnerships through dialogue and mutual understanding.

“The Office of the President of the Senate is dedicated to truth, transparency, and constructive engagement –  at home and on the international stage,” Eyiboh added.