On Tuesday, the Senate directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate the source and purpose of widespread rumours on social media claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had collapsed or died.
The decision followed a point of order raised by Senator Titus Zam from Benue North West Senatorial District, who expressed serious concern about the rumours that had been circulating for the past 48 hours.
Senator Zam described the rumours as alarming, irresponsible, and unacceptable. He emphasized that the Senate President, being the nation’s third-highest official, should not be subjected to such false information.
“The Senate is concerned. I think it’s important for us to talk about the Senate President, because of the promotion of negative news about the Senate President,” Zam said, referring to media and social media reports about the alleged collapse and death.
He called the situation a serious threat to leadership and democratic stability and urged decisive action against those spreading the rumours.
“This is a very serious matter. The promotion of negative news about our leaders, whether in government or otherwise, and the only thing for us, Mr President, is to investigate and also punish the promoters of such negative news about the leaders of this country,” he said.
Zam added, “We are searching for justice against the promoters of such negative news about the leaders. It is our responsibility to do justice, to investigate, punish and bring those in contest of such negative news about our leaders.
“We are searching for justice against the promoters of such negative news about leaders. It is our responsibility to see to it that anybody who engages in such a dangerous act against our leadership… and the Senate President’s office and our democracy and our government.”
He urged his colleagues to support the motion, saying, “So, I want to clearly urge my colleagues to support that this matter be looked into seriously, with a view to searching out those who are behind this. The social media promoters of negative information, terrorists and devil worshippers, and so called activists. Thank you very much.”
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the issue was raised on a point of order and had not been fully debated but recognized the harm caused by unchecked social media rumours.
“Thank you, Senator. The matter came on a point of order, which has not had any exhaustive deliberation,” Akpabio said.
He added, “So, I will say that your point of order is sustained. However, you have to know that the only politicians that they make this report about… Somebody was telling me that he showed a picture of me dead, a minute of silence for me!”
Akpabio noted the challenge of controlling social media content, calling it “garbage in, garbage out,” and asked the Senate if it wished to formally refer the matter to the NSA.
“Is it the view of the Senate that this matter be referred to the National Security Adviser to deal seriously with these mischief makers?” he asked.
The proposal was put to a voice vote and the majority supported the motion.
With the majority in favour, the Senate President ruled, “The Ayes have it. We’ll send the communication to the National Security Adviser.”
The Senate resolved that the NSA should investigate the origin, motive, and promoters of the rumours about the alleged collapse and death of the Senate President and take appropriate action.
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