The Senate has instructed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to look into the spread of viral claims on social media suggesting that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had collapsed and, in some versions, died.
The decision came after Senator Titus Zam raised a point of order under Order 42, drawing attention to the disturbing reports that had circulated widely over the past 48 hours.
Zam described the rumours as deeply troubling and unacceptable, stressing that the Senate President occupies the position of the nation’s number three citizen and should not be subjected to such reckless misinformation.
In his response, Akpabio acknowledged the challenge of regulating narratives on social media, noting that individuals could not be stopped from posting what he termed “garbage in, garbage out”.
He nevertheless asked his colleagues whether the Senate wished for the matter to be formally referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.
The suggestion was put to a voice vote and approved by the chamber, with senators resolving that the National Security Adviser should investigate the origin and motive behind the rumours concerning the alleged collapse of the Senate President.
What you should know
The Senate’s action highlights growing concern over the impact of unverified social media reports on national stability and public trust.
By directing the National Security Adviser to investigate the source of the rumours about Senate President Godswill Akpabio, lawmakers signalled that misinformation involving top public officials is a security issue, not just a political one. The move reflects broader anxiety about how false narratives can spread rapidly online, damage institutions, and incite unnecessary panic.
It also underscores the Senate’s expectation that security agencies play an active role in identifying and deterring the deliberate spread of harmful falsehoods.
