Senate Orders Probe Into Social Media Rumors About Akpabio Health

The Senate on Tuesday ordered the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate viral social media claims alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had collapsed or died. The decision followed growing concern within the chamber over the spread of the reports in the last 48 hours.

Raising the matter under Order 42, Senator Titus Zam warned that the rumours posed a serious threat to national stability, stressing that Akpabio, as the country’s number three citizen, should not be targeted with false and alarming information circulated online.

Responding, Akpabio acknowledged the challenge of controlling narratives on social media, noting that people often publish false content without restraint. He then asked the Senate if it wanted the issue formally referred to the National Security Adviser. The motion was put to a voice vote and approved, mandating the NSA to trace the source and motive behind the claims.