I hope social media won’t destroy Africa’ – Akpabio on story of Senate’s creation of 12 new states

 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has firmly denied reports that the Nigerian Senate has approved the creation of 12 new states. The rumour, which quickly gained traction online, stirred public debate and confusion across the country. Speaking during a Senate session, Akpabio stressed that no such approval had taken place and cautioned against the dangerous spread of false information via social media.

He expressed concern over how Africans, particularly Nigerians, use social media to spread misinformation, fake letters, and unverified claims. According to him, this kind of online behaviour could cause real harm to societies and political institutions. He emphasized the need for responsible communication and truthfulness, especially when dealing with sensitive national matters like state creation and appointments.

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Akpabio noted that in some instances, people have even gone as far as forging official letterheads and circulating fake appointment rejections online. He urged the public to verify information before sharing and discouraged politicians from exploiting online platforms for manipulation or propaganda.

His comments came amid rising concerns over disinformation in the digital space, especially on political issues. The viral claim about 12 new states being approved was widely discussed before being officially debunked.

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Senator Abdul Ningi, a member of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, also dismissed the reports about 12 new states as completely false. Addressing the Senate, he clarified that no zonal report has even been submitted to the main Constitution Review Committee yet.

Ningi explained that although the committee is working on proposed constitutional amendments, nothing has been finalized or discussed at the level suggested in the online reports. He labelled the viral news as “fake, toxic, and irresponsible,” warning that it misleads the public and undermines the legislative process.

According to Ningi, even from a procedural standpoint, the process of creating new states is complex and time-consuming. It requires careful consultations, drafting, and submission of detailed reports  none of which has happened at this stage. Therefore, claims that the National Assembly has “pencilled in” or approved the creation of 12 states are baseless.

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He joined Akpabio in calling for restraint and responsibility in the use of social media, especially when dealing with sensitive legislative issues. He urged Nigerians not to believe every trending story they see online and to always cross-check information with official sources.

The controversy highlights the growing challenge of combating fake news in Nigeria’s digital space, especially in political reporting. It also raises questions about how misinformation can influence public opinion and distract from real legislative work.

Both Akpabio and Ningi emphasized the need for credible journalism and digital literacy, warning that unchecked rumours could derail serious national efforts and sow unnecessary division.