The Nigerian Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate the circulation of false reports alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London.
The resolution was adopted during plenary on Tuesday following a point of order raised by Senator Titus Zam, who condemned the spread of what he described as deliberate misinformation across social and digital media platforms. Zam said the reports were not only false but also dangerous, warning that unchecked fake news could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
According to the lawmaker, the fabrication and circulation of such reports amount to a serious abuse of freedom of expression and should attract consequences. He urged security agencies to identify those behind the falsehoods and ensure they are prosecuted in order to deter similar actions in the future.
“This kind of misinformation is unacceptable and must be treated as a security issue. If left unchecked, it can create unnecessary panic and destabilise governance,” Zam said.
The Senate unanimously supported the motion, resolving that the Office of the National Security Adviser should immediately investigate the origin, motive and spread of the fake reports, with a view to taking appropriate action against those responsible.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over what he described as the growing difficulty of regulating information in the digital age. He lamented the proliferation of unverified content, particularly on social media, noting that public office holders are increasingly targeted by false narratives.
Akpabio described much of the content circulated on certain online platforms as “garbage in, garbage out,” stressing that the speed and reach of digital media have made it harder to curb the spread of falsehoods once they are released into the public space.
He noted that while freedom of the press and expression are essential to democracy, they must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. According to him, deliberate dissemination of false information, especially on sensitive issues such as health and national leadership, poses risks to public order and national security.
The Senate President’s remarks come in the wake of recent online rumours claiming that he had collapsed and was receiving emergency medical treatment abroad. The reports quickly gained traction on social media before being firmly denied by his aides, who dismissed them as “fake news” and assured Nigerians that Akpabio was healthy and carrying out his official duties.
Political analysts say the Senate’s decision reflects growing concern within government circles about the impact of misinformation and disinformation on governance, public trust and national stability. They note that directing the NSA to probe the matter signals a tougher stance against the deliberate spread of false information, particularly when it targets senior public officials.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to guide further actions by security agencies and may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
