Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied making any comment on former United States President Donald Trump, describing a viral report attributing a statement to him as fake and mischievous.

Akpabio said the false publication, which included manipulated photographs from a previous Senate visit to Port Harcourt, was a calculated attempt to drag the National Assembly into a diplomatic misunderstanding and tarnish its image.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, the Senate President stated that he had already petitioned the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down those behind the fake report.

“Somebody will sit in the comfort of his room and produce a report, even fake pictures of 2023 when the Senate President with Senators visited Port Harcourt for a different event, and claim that I responded to President Trump. Who am I to answer President Trump?” Akpabio said.

“This time, the Senate President of Nigeria did not answer President Trump. The quotation was concocted to cause a diplomatic row. It is the Presidency that can respond officially to such matters,” he added.

Akpabio warned that such fake reports are capable of causing tension and damaging Nigeria’s international relations.

“I believe the Cybercrimes Unit of the Police, the DSS and others should find that character out, because it is meant to cause friction and put the Nigerian Senate in disrepute,” he said.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin threw his weight behind Akpabio, describing the false publication as an attack on Nigeria’s sovereignty and the integrity of its parliament.

Barau said: “You didn’t say it, that’s correct. You shouldn’t be scared of saying it. I’m not scared of Trump. We are a sovereign nation. Nigerians must not be afraid to speak their minds.”

Akpabio, however, clarified that the Senate had not yet discussed Trump’s recent comments about Nigeria in plenary.

“We have not discussed the comment of President Trump in chambers yet. When the Senate deliberates on it officially, only then can I speak,” he said.

He cautioned Nigerians against sharing unverified information, stressing that such actions could endanger the country’s diplomatic standing and mislead the public. (The Nation)