By MOHAMMED DANBABA
Akpabio Rumoured Death Triggers Senate Action
Abuja — Nigeria’s Senate has moved swiftly to address a wave of viral misinformation after lawmakers formally asked the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the State Security Service (SSS) to investigate the origin and spread of online rumours claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was gravely ill or had passed on abroad.
The resolution followed concerns raised during plenary over what senators described as a dangerous trend of false reports targeting public office holders, with the latest claims focusing on the health status of the nation’s number three citizen. The development once again highlights the growing influence of social media narratives on public discourse and national stability.
Lawmakers Alarmed by Spread of False Reports
The matter was brought to the Senate floor by the senator representing Benue North-West, Titus Zam, who expressed deep concern over the speed and reach of the misleading reports circulating across digital platforms.
For more than a week, social media posts had claimed that Senator Akpabio was critically unwell, with some alleging that he collapsed and was receiving intensive medical care in London. Others went further, publishing outright false claims that he had passed on.
According to Senator Zam, such reports do more than misinform the public. He warned that they damage Nigeria’s image and erode confidence in governance, especially when left unchecked.
He urged the Senate to take firm action against individuals and platforms that deliberately promote false narratives, stressing that failure to respond could embolden others to spread similar rumours in the future.
Social Media Amplification Raises Fresh Concerns
The speculation gained wider attention after a Nigeria–United States-based blogger shared a post on Instagram urging Nigerians to pray for the Senate President, describing him as critically ill in a London hospital. The post referenced old images of Akpabio using a walking stick and revisited an alleged incident during his birthday celebration two years ago.
Although no official confirmation supported the claims, the post was widely shared, fuelling further speculation and debate online. Senators noted that the episode reflects a broader challenge facing public institutions in the digital age, where unverified content can quickly gain credibility through repetition.
Akpabio Responds on Senate Floor
Responding during plenary, Senator Akpabio dismissed the rumours, noting that he was neither surprised nor uniquely targeted. He recalled similar incidents involving prominent Nigerians in the past, including a former head of state who was falsely reported to have passed on while still alive and publicly attending a Christmas carol service.
According to him, misinformation has increasingly become a tool used indiscriminately, affecting not only politicians but also business leaders and other notable figures.
“You will find that these reports are not limited to politicians alone,” he said, recalling instances where burial ceremonies were reportedly organised for individuals who were very much alive.
While acknowledging that the internet makes it difficult to fully control information flow, the Senate President stressed that deliberate misinformation should not be ignored.
Senate Mandates NSA, SSS to Investigate
Following deliberations, Akpabio formally urged the NSA and the SSS to investigate how the rumour originated and how it spread so rapidly across platforms. When the motion was put to a voice vote, it received overwhelming support from lawmakers.
The Senate resolved that the security agencies should look into whether the reports were coordinated, malicious, or intended to undermine public confidence. Senators agreed that while freedom of expression must be protected, the intentional spread of false information poses risks to national cohesion and security.
“It is the view of the Senate that this matter be referred to the National Security Adviser and the DSS for investigation,” Akpabio stated. “You cannot stop people from writing, but there must be accountability.”
A Pattern of Recurring Misinformation
This is not the first time Senator Akpabio has been targeted by similar rumours. Over the years, false claims suggesting that he passed on in the United Kingdom have resurfaced periodically, often gaining traction before being debunked.
Lawmakers noted that such recurring narratives point to a wider issue beyond individual personalities. They warned that unchecked misinformation could one day spark public panic, diplomatic confusion, or even economic consequences.
Call for Responsible Digital Engagement
The Senate’s action adds to ongoing national conversations around responsible digital engagement, media literacy, and the role of security agencies in tackling coordinated misinformation campaigns.
Several senators stressed that Nigerians must learn to verify information from credible sources before sharing it, especially when it concerns sensitive issues such as national leadership and public health.
As the NSA and SSS begin their probe, the Senate says it expects recommendations that could help deter future incidents and reinforce public trust in official communication channels.
For now, the message from the upper chamber is clear: misinformation, no matter how casually presented online, will no longer be treated as harmless gossip when it threatens national integrity.
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