The Senate has ordered an urgent investigation into viral social media claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio collapsed or died.
According to report, the directive, issued during Wednesday’s plenary session, tasks the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, with tracking down whoever started and spread the false reports.
Senator Titus Zam from Benue North West brought the issue to the floor, raising alarm over rumours that had been circulating online for over 48 hours.
He called the misinformation “dangerous, irresponsible, and unacceptable.”
Zam specifically shut down claims that Akpabio suffered a medical emergency and was flown to a London hospital, saying the entire story was fabricated.
“The Senate President, as Nigeria’s number three citizen, should not be subjected to such misleading and damaging misinformation,” Zam said.
He pushed for those behind the false narratives to be identified and prosecuted, warning that such content threatens national stability.
He also noted that similar false reports recently targeted former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, pointing to a troubling pattern of fake news aimed at prominent Nigerians.
Responding to the motion, Akpabio acknowledged how difficult it is to control what gets posted online, describing much of it as “garbage in, garbage out.”
He asked fellow lawmakers whether the matter warranted a formal investigation by security agencies.
The motion was put to a voice vote and passed unanimously.
The NSA and DSS are now officially tasked with investigating the origin, motive, and spread of the false rumours about the Senate President.
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