Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, last ,Tuesday dispelled circulating rumours alleging that he collapsed and was flown abroad for medical treatment, as he presided over plenary of the upper legislative chamber.
The rumours, which gained traction on social media and were amplified by an online news platform last ,Monday, had claimed that Akpabio collapsed earlier in the month and was allegedly transported to London on a private jet for urgent medical attention.
Specifically, the report alleged that the Senate President “collapsed on the 10th of this month and was rushed to London in a private jet provided by billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote.”
However, in an apparent rebuttal of the claims, Akpabio shared photographs on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account showing him actively presiding over Senate proceedings last ,,Tuesday.
“Today, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, I presided over Plenary, where Ambassadorial nominees from President Bola Tinubu were screened and confirmed,” the Senate President wrote.
Meanwhile, the Senate has formally called on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to immediately investigate the origin and spread of the viral rumours concerning the alleged collapse and, in some instances, the purported death of the Senate President.
The Senate also directed the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to collaborate with the NSA in conducting 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), who expressed deep concern over the persistence of the reports for more than 48 hours.
Senator Zam described the rumours as “alarming and unacceptable,” noting that the Senate President, as Nigeria’s number three citizen, should not be subjected to such reckless misinformation.
He condemned claims circulating on certain media platforms that Akpabio suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to a London hospital, describing the reports as “fake, irresponsible, and capable of misleading the public.”
Zam further urged the nation’s security agencies to identify those responsible for spreading the falsehoods and ensure they are prosecuted in accordance with the law to serve as a deterrent against the dissemination of misinformation.
