The Nigerian Senate has ordered the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate reports falsely claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is dead.
Join our WhatsApp community
The directive was issued during Tuesday’s plenary after Senator Titus Zam raised a point of order, drawing attention to fake reports circulating on media platforms alleging that the Senate President suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London.
The senator described the reports as unacceptable, stressing that those responsible for spreading the misinformation must be identified and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
In his response, Akpabio, who presided at plenary, said it was becoming increasingly difficult to regulate what the media publishes, particularly as it relates to politicians, describing content on some platforms as “garbage in, garbage out”.
News Region had earlier reported that the media team of the Senate President had earlier denied reports circulating online that Akpabio collapsed and was flown to London for urgent medical attention.
Speaking on Monday, Kenny Okolugbo, a Consultant on Communications and Strategy to the Senate President, described the report as “fake news.”
When contacted by over the health claims, Okolugbo said, “It’s a lie, fake news,” without providing further clarification.
The clarification comes on the heels of a report published by Sahara Reporters, which alleged that Akpabio collapsed on December 10 and was rushed to London in a private jet allegedly provided by Aliko Dangote.
The report claimed that Akpabio was receiving treatment abroad and had been absent from official duties, notably the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) session held last Wednesday.
Akpabio was not seen during the key legislative engagement on Nigeria’s fiscal strategy, where Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi stood in on his behalf.
Godswill Akpabio became the President of the Nigerian Senate on 13 June 2023. He was elected to lead the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the general elections, succeeding Ahmad Lawan.
Join our WhatsApp community
Join Our Social Media Channels:
