The Senate has called on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate the recent wave of false reports circulating on social media claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had collapsed and, in some accounts, died.
The lawmakers reached the resolution on Tuesday, December 16, following a motion raised by Senator Titus Zam (Benue North-West), who cited the matter under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules.
Senator Zam described the rumours, which had spread widely online over the past two days, as deeply troubling and damaging.
He said such misinformation about the health of one of Nigeria’s top political figures was irresponsible and capable of undermining public confidence in national institutions.
“This is a very serious matter. The Senate President is the number three citizen of this country, and such reports about your person and office must be investigated,” Zam said.
He urged the Senate to take firm action against those behind the misinformation.
“Those responsible for spreading the falsehoods should not only be investigated but also sanctioned in line with the law to deter others from engaging in similar acts,” he said.
The senator further argued that penalties would serve as a warning to individuals who use digital platforms to spread false and destabilising content.
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“When sanctions are meted out against the promoters of such negative reports, it will discourage anyone from engaging in this infamous and dangerous act against our democracy and our country,” he added.
Responding to the motion, Akpabio lamented the growing challenge of misinformation on social media but said the issue warranted a detailed investigation.
“People cannot be stopped from writing what they term garbage in, garbage out,” he remarked.
The Senate President then sought the consent of the chamber to refer the matter to the National Security Adviser for a proper probe.
The motion was put to a voice vote and adopted, with the Senate mandating Ribadu’s office to trace the origin of the false reports and identify the culprits.
False rumours about Akpabio’s health had previously surfaced in August when it was reported that he had been hospitalised after a private trip to London.
The Senate President, however, dismissed those claims after returning to Nigeria, assuring the public that he was in good health.
The latest decision by the Senate underscores its growing concern about the damaging influence of false information on social media and the need to hold individuals accountable for spreading unverified claims that could sow panic or discredit public officials.