Senate President Godswill Akpabio has alleged that people criticising President Bola Tinubu and his supporters on social media are being paid, urging youths in Northern Nigeria to intensify grassroots mobilisation for the President’s re-election in 2027.

Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday when a northern youth group, Arewa Revival Project, led by its coordinator, Mustafa Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy visit at his office.

The group, whose members are drawn from the 19 northern states, presented an award to the Senate President in recognition of his contributions to nation-building.

While thanking the group for the recognition, Akpabio urged its members to mobilise support for Tinubu at the grassroots and help Nigerians understand what he described as the benefits of continuity in government.

He alleged that critics attacking the President and his supporters online were being paid, while those backing the administration were doing so without financial incentives.

“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,” he said.

Akpabio encouraged the youths to organise periodic engagements to counter what he described as propaganda and persuade Nigerians to support the administration.

“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,” he added.

The former Akwa Ibom State governor also defended Tinubu’s economic policies, including the tax reforms, arguing that the administration was working to diversify the economy away from its dependence on crude oil.

He urged Nigerian youths to rise above what he described as social media propaganda, insisting that the President had introduced innovations through tax reforms and changes to outdated laws.

“No President has achieved the level of development that he has done in this country today since independence,” Akpabio said.

He added that members of the National Assembly were proud of the administration’s performance and had endorsed Tinubu for a second term.

Akpabio expressed confidence in the President’s ability to confront the country’s economic challenges, saying the administration was determined to keep Nigeria moving forward.

The Senate President urged the youths to participate actively in shaping the country’s future, arguing that the government’s policies were intended to secure their long-term prospects.

The 2027 general election is expected to see Tinubu seek a second term amid efforts by opposition parties to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Akpabio Says State Police May Become Reality Soon

On insecurity, Akpabio expressed optimism that the proposed establishment of state police would soon become a reality, saying the constitutional amendment process was nearing completion.

He said about 30 state Houses of Assembly had endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to introduce decentralised policing.

“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,” he said.

The creation of state police has remained a major issue in Nigeria’s constitutional reform debate, with proponents arguing that decentralised policing would enable states to respond more effectively to local security threats.

Akpabio also expressed optimism that the country would overcome its security challenges, urging the youths to remain confident as they mobilised support for the President.

“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,” he said.

Earlier, Ibrahim said the Senate President deserved the award because of his contributions to national development and what he described as the achievements of the National Assembly under his leadership.