The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate circulating rumours alleging the collapse or death of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The directive followed a point of order raised under Order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who drew attention to the reports said to have circulated over the past 48 hours.
Senator Zam described the claims as disturbing and unacceptable, stressing that the Senate President is the nation’s number three citizen and should not be subjected to such misleading and potentially destabilising information.
In his response, Senate President Akpabio acknowledged the challenges associated with regulating narratives on social media, noting that individuals cannot be stopped from disseminating what he described as “garbage in, garbage out.”
He, however, sought clarification from senators on whether it was their desire for the matter to be formally referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.
The suggestion was thereafter subjected to a voice vote and approved by the chamber, with the Senate resolving that the National Security Adviser should probe the origin and motive behind the rumours concerning the alleged collapse of the Senate President.
