The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has publicly denied the reported invasion of the National Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS) amid allegations of a possible impeachment move against principal officers. This statement was made during the plenary session on Wednesday, where he addressed the rumors circulating on social media.
Akpabio emphasized that the claims about the DSS surrounding the National Assembly were unfounded and categorically false. He expressed his concerns over the spread of misinformation, highlighting how such rumors can distract from the legislative work being conducted in the chamber.
In his remarks, he stated: “It has just been brought to my attention by one of us that there is a fake news trending on the social media that the DSS surrounded the National Assembly with possible impeachment of principal officers.” He further elaborated, saying, “There is no limit to social media. We are here sitting down and doing your work very peacefully, oblivious of the mischief that is going on behind us.”
Akpabio pointed out the challenges posed by social media, noting that misinformation is often used to manipulate public perception and generate traffic for various platforms. “This is what we pass through on a daily basis. It’s either they use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inject something to turn it around in order to drive traffic. I understand that they are being paid by YouTube,” he commented.
He reassured the public, stating, “This is total fake news and that the chamber is very stable and that there is no issue of impeachment.” Following his statements, Akpabio took proactive measures by directing the Senate Committee on Special Duties to investigate the matter further. He urged them to report their findings within 24 hours to ensure transparency and clarity on the issue.
“Sen. Shehu Kaka, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, investigate and report back to us as soon as practicable,” he concluded, reinforcing his commitment to maintaining order and integrity within the legislative process.