Senate asks NSA to probe fake news on Akpabio’s health

Nigerian Senate has asked the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate the circulation of fabricated reports alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio experienced a health emergency and was urgently taken to a hospital in London.

The move followed a point of order raised on Tuesday under order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who expressed concern over the reports that had circulated within the last 48 hours.

Senator Zam described the rumours as alarming and unacceptable, noting that the Senate President is the nation’s number three citizen and should not be subjected to such misinformation.

Presiding over the session, Akpabio lamented the growing challenge of regulating media content, especially regarding politicians.

“Much of the output on certain platforms are garbage in, garbage out, highlighting the difficulty in curbing falsehoods,” Akpabio said.

He, however, asked whether it was the wish of the Senate that the issue be referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.

The proposal was subsequently put to a voice vote and adopted by the upper chamber, resolving that the National Security Adviser investigate the source and intent of the rumours surrounding the alleged collapse of the Senate President.