Senate Orders Probe Into Rumours Of Akpabio’s Ill Health
The Senate has mandated the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate viral social media reports alleging the collapse and, in some instances, death of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The decision followed a point of order raised under Order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who voiced concern over the spread of the reports within the past 48 hours, Channels reports.
Zam described the rumours as disturbing and unacceptable, stressing that the Senate President, as the nation’s number three citizen, should not be subjected to such misinformation.
“This is a very serious matter. The Senate President is the number three citizen of this country, and such reports about your person and office must be investigated,” Zam said.
According to him, those responsible for spreading the falsehoods should not only be investigated but also sanctioned in line with the law to deter others from engaging in similar acts.
“When sanctions are meted out against the promoters of such negative reports, it will discourage anyone from engaging in this infamous and dangerous act against our democracy and our country,” he added.
Reacting, Akpabio acknowledged the challenge of regulating social media narratives, noting that people cannot be stopped from writing what he termed “garbage in, garbage out.”
He, however, sought clarification on whether it was the will of the Senate to refer the matter to the National Security Adviser for investigation.
The motion was thereafter put to a voice vote and adopted, with the Senate resolving that the NSA should probe the origin and motive behind the rumours concerning the alleged collapse of the Senate President.
In August, there were speculations that Akpabio was indisposed and hospitalised following a brief vacation in London, United Kingdom.
However, on his return, the Senate president dispelled the rumours about his health.
