Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied claims that there is an ongoing plot to impeach him from office. Addressing the Nigerian Senate during plenary on Wednesday, Akpabio dismissed the reports as “fake news” and called for an investigation into the source of the rumour.
This statement from the Senate President followed widespread speculation earlier in the day that operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) had taken over the National Assembly complex in response to an alleged impeachment threat.
The rumour, which spread rapidly across online platforms, claimed that a group of unnamed Northern Senators were plotting to remove Akpabio from his position. This alleged plot was said to be based on dissatisfaction with the Senate President’s leadership.
Akpabio, however, firmly rejected the claims, describing the reports as “total mischief.” He added that the impeachment of principal officers of the Senate was not even a topic of discussion within the National Assembly.
“There is no limit to what online publications cannot do,” Akpabio said during the Senate session. He continued, “This is total fake news, and the impeachment of principal officers did not arise. We are all here in the National Assembly without any controversial issues.”
He expressed his concern about the growing influence of false reports on social media, warning that fake news was increasingly taking over the media space in Nigeria.
Akpabio also joked that the creators of the rumour might be benefiting financially from the spread of the false information. “I learnt that they could click an AI and news will start trending to drive traffic. I am sure the traffic for this fake news is massive by now,” he remarked, drawing laughter from his colleagues in the chamber.
Another major claim made in the online reports was that DSS operatives had taken control of the National Assembly premises to prevent any attempts to disrupt proceedings amid the impeachment plot. The National Assembly was allegedly filled with security agents, with the complex described as resembling a “war zone.”
However, Akpabio debunked these reports, stating that there was no such takeover by security operatives. The Senate President emphasized that the National Assembly was functioning peacefully, and no special security arrangements had been put in place.
“We are here sitting down and doing our work very peacefully, oblivious of the mischief that is going on behind us,” he told the Senate.
His comments aligned with official reports from the National Assembly, which confirmed that the legislative body was conducting its business as usual, with no extraordinary security measures in place.
Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Special Duties to investigate the matter and report their findings within 24 hours. He called for an inquiry into the origins of the fake news and urged the committee to identify those responsible for spreading the false information.
“The fake news is hereby referred to the Committee of Special Duties to report back to the Senate in 24 hours,” Akpabio said. He suggested that the creators of the rumour might be profiting from the traffic generated by the false report, possibly through online platforms like YouTube, where traffic can translate into revenue.
Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and a key ally of President Bola Tinubu, was elected Senate President in June 2023. His rise to the Senate’s top position was seen as a political victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which backed his candidacy.
However, Akpabio’s leadership has not been without challenges. Reports of internal dissatisfaction, particularly from some Northern Senators, have occasionally surfaced. These Senators have reportedly expressed concerns about their influence in the Senate and the broader political landscape under Akpabio’s leadership.
While Akpabio continues to enjoy support from many lawmakers, some observers have noted growing divisions within the Senate. Political analysts suggest that these divisions, if left unresolved, could fuel further attempts to undermine Akpabio’s position in the future.
