Akpabio debunks collapse rumours, presides over Senate plenary

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed widespread rumours alleging that he collapsed and was flown abroad for medical treatment, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The rumours, which circulated widely on social media and were amplified by an online news platform on Monday, claimed that Akpabio suffered a health emergency earlier in the month and was secretly flown to London aboard a private jet allegedly provided by billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote.

However, in an apparent rebuttal on Tuesday, the Senate President shared photographs of himself presiding over plenary on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, effectively putting the speculation to rest.

“Today, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, I presided over Plenary, where Ambassadorial nominees from President Bola Tinubu were screened and confirmed,” Akpabio wrote.

Meanwhile, the Senate has formally urged the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to urgently investigate the origin and spread of the viral reports alleging the collapse—and in some instances, the death—of the Senate President.

The upper legislative chamber also directed the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to work closely with the NSA to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

The resolution followed a point of order raised under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders (2023, as amended) by Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West). Zam expressed concern that the false reports had circulated unchecked for more than 48 hours, creating unnecessary panic and confusion.

Describing the rumours as “alarming and unacceptable,” the senator stressed that the Senate President, as Nigeria’s number three citizen, should not be subjected to such reckless misinformation.

He condemned reports suggesting that Akpabio collapsed and was rushed to a London hospital, labelling them “fake, irresponsible and capable of misleading the public.”

Senator Zam further called on security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for originating and spreading the falsehoods, noting that decisive action would serve as a deterrent against the growing menace of fake news in the country.