iDeemlawfulThe Nigerian Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate reports alleging that the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, is dead.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday after Senator Titus Zam raised a point of order, citing false reports circulated across media platforms claiming that the Senate President suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London.
The senator stressed that the spread of such misinformation is unacceptable and urged that those responsible be identified and prosecuted to deter similar actions in the future.
Responding, the Senate President, who presided over the session, said regulating media content, especially concerning political figures, has become increasingly challenging, describing some online publications as “garbage in, garbage out”.
News Region had earlier reported that Akpabio’s media team had dismissed online claims that he collapsed and was flown abroad for emergency medical treatment.
Speaking on Monday, Kenny Okolugbo, a Consultant on Communications and Strategy to the Senate President, described the reports as “fake news.”
When contacted by Daily Post regarding the health allegations, Okolugbo said, “It’s a lie, fake news,” without offering further details.
The rebuttal followed a report by Sahara Reporters, which alleged that Akpabio collapsed on December 10 and was flown to London in a private jet reportedly provided by Aliko Dangote.
The report further claimed that the Senate President is currently undergoing medical treatment overseas and has been absent from official duties, including the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) session held last Wednesday.
Akpabio was not present at the crucial legislative session on Nigeria’s fiscal direction, during which Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi represented him.
Godswill Akpabio assumed office as President of the Nigerian Senate on June 13, 2023. He was elected to lead the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following the general elections, succeeding Ahmad Lawan.
