The Nigerian Senate has directed the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate the origin and spread of false reports alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio suffered a medical emergency and was flown to London for treatment.
The resolution was reached during Tuesday’s plenary sitting after Senator Titus Zam raised a point of order, drawing attention to what he described as deliberate misinformation circulating across social and digital media platforms. According to him, the claims were not only misleading but capable of undermining public confidence and national stability.
Senator Zam strongly condemned the reports, labeling them “unacceptable” and urging security agencies to track down and prosecute those behind the false narratives as a deterrent to future misinformation campaigns.
While presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over the increasing difficulty of regulating media content in the digital age, particularly as it affects public office holders. He noted that the unchecked spread of unverified information has made it easier for falsehoods to gain traction, describing some online content as a cycle of “garbage in, garbage out.”
The Senate’s decision comes amid recent online rumors alleging that Akpabio collapsed and was hospitalized abroad. These claims have since been categorically denied by his aides, who described the reports as fake and malicious.
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By mandating the NSA to probe the matter, the Senate reaffirmed its commitment to combating misinformation and safeguarding the integrity of public discourse in Nigeria.