Senate President Godswill Akpabio has alleged that some social media users criticising President Bola Tinubu and his supporters are being paid, urging youths in Northern Nigeria to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Akpabio made the allegation on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when members of the Arewa Revival Project, a youth group whose membership is drawn from the 19 northern states, visited him at his office in Abuja.

The group, led by its coordinator, Mustafa Ibrahim, presented an award to the Senate president in recognition of his contributions to nation-building.

While addressing the delegation, Akpabio encouraged members to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and explain the administration’s policies to Nigerians at the grassroots.

Akpabio accuses online critics of receiving payment

Akpabio argued that some people attacking the President and his supporters online had financial backing, while the youths campaigning for the administration were not being paid.

He urged the group to engage other young Nigerians and challenge what he described as propaganda against the government.

The Senate president also defended Tinubu’s economic policies, including the tax reforms, arguing that the administration was seeking to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil revenue.

Akpabio further praised the President’s record, saying he and members of the National Assembly supported Tinubu seeking a second term in office.

However, he did not provide evidence during the reported meeting to substantiate his allegation that social media critics were receiving payment.

The allegation therefore remains his claim and should not be treated as an established fact.

State police proposal also features in remarks

Akpabio also spoke about insecurity and the proposed establishment of state police, expressing optimism that constitutional amendments required to introduce decentralised policing could soon be completed.

He said about 30 state Houses of Assembly had endorsed the amendment, although the reported remarks did not provide a state-by-state breakdown of those endorsements.

The proposed state police system has featured prominently in Nigeria’s security and constitutional reform debates, with supporters arguing that it could improve responses to local security challenges.

Its implementation would depend on completing the required constitutional process.

Political mobilisation gathers pace ahead of 2027

The meeting reflects efforts by political figures and support groups to build grassroots backing ahead of the 2027 general election, in which Tinubu is expected to seek re-election.

Social media has become an important arena for political messaging, criticism and campaign mobilisation.

Akpabio’s comments add to the debate over online political communication, including allegations of paid influence and the spread of propaganda.

The claims about payments to Tinubu’s online critics were not independently established in the report.

The allegation should therefore be distinguished from verified information about the meeting and Akpabio’s appeal for political mobilisation.