Senate President Godswill Akpabio has alleged that individuals criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his supporters on social media are receiving payments for their activities.
Akpabio made the allegation on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during a meeting with the Arewa Revival Project, a northern youth organisation led by its coordinator, Mustafa Ibrahim.
The group, whose members come from the 19 northern states, visited the Senate President to present an award recognising his contributions to national development.
While responding to the recognition, Akpabio encouraged the group to intensify grassroots mobilisation in support of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He urged the youths to engage citizens directly and explain what he described as the benefits of continuity in government.
The Senate President argued that young people should not allow online criticism to discourage them from supporting the administration. He maintained that some individuals attacking the President and his supporters were being paid, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Akpabio also defended the administration’s economic policies, including its tax reforms, arguing that the government was working to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil and introduce changes aimed at improving the economy.
He expressed confidence in the administration’s direction and said members of the National Assembly supported Tinubu’s bid for another term.
On security, Akpabio said the proposed establishment of state police was approaching a significant stage in the constitutional amendment process. He claimed that approximately 30 state Houses of Assembly had endorsed the proposal, which he said could strengthen the country’s security system through decentralised policing.
He expressed optimism that the initiative could soon become a reality and help address Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
The meeting comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress seeking to strengthen the President’s support base across the country.
