Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
Nigerian Senate has stepped in to curb the spread of misinformation, directing the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate false reports claiming that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, suffered a health emergency and was rushed abroad for treatment.
The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary after Senator Titus Zam raised a point of order, expressing concern over what he described as a dangerous trend of fabricating health stories about public officials.
According to him, the reports which was guest published by Sahara reporters, was widely circulated across digital platforms, were “unacceptable” and capable of misleading the public while undermining trust in national institutions.
Senator Zam urged security agencies to go beyond condemnation by identifying and prosecuting those behind the fake reports, stressing that accountability would serve as a deterrent against similar acts in the future.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Akpabio did not hide his frustration over the growing challenge of regulating online content.
He warned that misinformation, especially when amplified through unverified platforms, poses a serious threat to public discourse.
Describing the trend bluntly, Akpabio said much of the content circulating online amounts to “garbage in, garbage out,” noting that the speed and reach of digital media have made it increasingly difficult to rein in falsehoods once they gain traction.
The Senate’s action follows recent online rumors alleging that Akpabio collapsed and was hospitalised in London—claims that were swiftly dismissed by his aides as outright “fake news.”
By mandating a formal investigation, lawmakers said they are sending a clear signal that the deliberate spread of false information, particularly on sensitive issues such as health, will no longer be treated lightly.
