Senate President Godswill Akpabio has alleged that people criticising President Bola Tinubu and his supporters on social media are being paid, urging northern youths to intensify grassroots mobilisation in support of the President ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday when members of the Arewa Revival Project, a youth organisation with representatives from the 19 northern states, visited him at his office in Abuja.
The delegation, led by its coordinator, Mustafa Ibrahim, presented the Senate President with an award in recognition of his contributions to nation-building.
While responding to the recognition, Akpabio encouraged the group to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and communicate what he described as the benefits of continuity in government.
He argued that the administration’s policies were intended to strengthen Nigeria’s economic future and urged the youths to help explain the government’s programmes to citizens at the grassroots.
‘They Are Being Paid’
Speaking about the criticism directed at Tinubu and members of his political circle online, Akpabio claimed that many of those attacking the President were receiving financial incentives.
He told the youth leaders that countering online criticism could be challenging because, in his view, some critics had financial backing that allowed them to devote considerable time to their activities.
However, the Senate President did not identify the individuals allegedly paying the critics or provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
Akpabio urged the group to organise periodic meetings with young people and encourage discussions about the government’s policies, rather than allowing online criticism to dominate public conversations.
Akpabio Defends Tinubu’s Economic Policies
The Senate President also defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, including its tax policies, arguing that the administration was working to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil revenue.
He maintained that the government’s decisions were aimed at securing the country’s long-term economic future and called on young Nigerians to engage more actively with national development issues.
Akpabio further expressed support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition, signalling the backing of key figures in the National Assembly for the President’s re-election campaign.
Political Mobilisation Ahead of 2027
The meeting highlights growing efforts by political groups to mobilise supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections, with social media increasingly serving as a major platform for political debate, campaigning and criticism.
While Akpabio characterised some online attacks as financially motivated, his allegation remains unsubstantiated in the absence of supporting evidence.
The development comes amid heightened political activity as parties and political leaders seek to influence public opinion ahead of the next presidential election.
