By Solomon OKPO
The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate and identify the source of fake reports circulating on social media regarding the health of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
The resolution was adopted on Tuesday during plenary following a point of order raised by Senator Titus Zam, who drew the attention of the chamber to what he described as deliberate misinformation claiming that Senator Akpabio suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London.
Senator Zam condemned the reports as false and misleading, stressing that the spread of such misinformation was unacceptable. He urged relevant security agencies to fish out those behind the reports and ensure they are made to face the law as a deterrent to others.
Responding to the issue, the President of the Senate, who presided over the plenary, decried the growing challenge of regulating information published across various media platforms, particularly concerning political office holders. He described some of the reports in circulation as irresponsible, characterising them as “garbage in, garbage out.”
The Senate’s decision underscores its concern over the rising spread of misinformation and its potential implications for public trust and national stability.
