Senate Orders NSA to Begin Investigation into Akpabio’s Death Report

• The Senate has ordered NSA Nuhu Ribadu to investigate fake reports claiming Senate President Godswill Akpabio is dead, warning that those behind the misinformation must be identified and prosecuted.

The Nigerian Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate the circulation of false reports alleging that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is dead.

The directive was issued during plenary on Tuesday after Senator Titus Zam raised a point of order over what he described as dangerous fake news spreading across media platforms. According to Zam, the reports falsely claimed that the Senate President suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London.

The senator warned that such misinformation poses a serious threat to national stability and public order, stressing that those responsible should be identified and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.

Responding during the session, Akpabio, who presided over plenary, lamented the growing difficulty in regulating media content, especially stories concerning public office holders. He described some online publications as operating on a “garbage in, garbage out” basis.

Earlier, the media team of the Senate President had dismissed the reports, describing them as entirely false. A statement credited to Kenny Okolugbo, Consultant on Communications and Strategy to Akpabio, categorically denied claims that the Senate President collapsed or was flown abroad for medical treatment.

When contacted for clarification, Okolugbo said the report was “a lie” and “fake news,” without further details.

The clarification followed a publication by Sahara Reporters which alleged that Akpabio collapsed on December 10 and was flown to London in a private jet allegedly provided by Aliko Dangote.

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The report also claimed that the Senate President was receiving treatment abroad and had missed official engagements, including the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) session.

Akpabio was absent from that legislative session, where Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi reportedly stood in on his behalf.

Godswill Akpabio has served as President of the Nigerian Senate since June 13, 2023, following his election as leader of the 10th Senate after the general elections, succeeding Ahmad Lawan.