The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate the source and intent of widespread social media rumours alleging the collapse, hospitalisation and, in some cases, death of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The resolution follows a point of order raised under Order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who expresses concern over the reports circulating online over the past 48 hours.
Zam describes the rumours as alarming and unacceptable, stressing that the Senate President, as the nation’s number three citizen, should not be subjected to such misinformation.
Responding on the floor, Akpabio acknowledges the difficulty of controlling narratives on social media, noting that people cannot be stopped from publishing what he describes as “garbage in, garbage out.”
He, however, asks whether it is the wish of the Senate that the matter be formally referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.
The proposal is subsequently subjected to a voice vote and adopted by the upper chamber, mandating the NSA to probe the origin and purpose of the rumours surrounding the alleged collapse of the Senate President.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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