The Senate on Tuesday instructed the National Security Adviser to probe and identify those responsible for circulating false claims on social media suggesting that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had collapsed or passed away.
The decision followed a point of order raised under Order 42 by Senator Titus Zam of the Benue North West Senatorial District, who expressed strong concern over the rumours, noting that they had spread widely over the past 48 hours.
Addressing the chamber, Zam described the reports as disturbing, reckless, and unacceptable, arguing that the Senate President, as the country’s number three citizen, should not be subjected to such misinformation.
He said the spread of negative and false reports about national leaders was a serious issue that required thorough investigation and strict punishment of those responsible. According to him, it was the duty of lawmakers to ensure that those who promote such misinformation are brought to justice.
Zam urged fellow senators to back the motion, calling for a comprehensive investigation aimed at uncovering the individuals behind the false reports. He added that purveyors of misleading information on social media, including those presenting themselves as activists, should be treated as a serious threat and held accountable.
