‘No plan to impeach Akpabio’, Nigeria’s Senate reacts to ‘fake news’
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday said there was no plot to impeach its president, Godswill Akpabio, by unnamed Senators.
The Senate specifically mandated its committee on Special Duties headed by Senator Shehu Kaka (APC Borno Central), to probe the genesis of the rumour and those behind it.
It emphasised that the news of a planned impeachment against Akpabio was false and laughable.
Akpabio drew attention of the Senate to the matter in response to reports circulating on social media, which claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had taken over the premises of the National Assembly for facilitation of the rumoured impeachment move against him.
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With a rhetorical laugh, Akpabio said, “the plenary is proceeding smoothly, with lawmakers conducting their affairs, unaware of the rumors being spread.
“We are here sitting down and doing our work very peacefully, oblivious of the mischief that is going on behind us.
“This rumour is part of what we go through daily. You see that they use AI to inject something to turn it around in order to drive traffic.
“I understand that they are being paid by YouTube if they have a lot of traffic. So, whoever brought out this fake news might be getting a lot of payment because of the traffic.
“But I hope the public is aware that this is total fake news and that the chamber is very stable, and the issue of impeachment does not come in. So, Kaka, please investigate and report back to us as soon as practicable.”
In response, the Senate Committee Chairman on Special Duties, Shehu Kaka (APC, Borno Central), said, “As the Senate President pleases; I will do the needful and report back, sir.”
After the plenary, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, addressed the press along with the chairman, Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Yar ‘Adua, to further debunk the fake news.
Adaramodu in debunking it, said “All the 108 Senators are solidly behind the leadership of the Senate led by the uncommon Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, like the rock of Gibraltar,” he said.
“In his own reaction, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua said the report was purely falsehood as none of the Northern Senator is intetested in impeachment plot against Akpabio.
“Nigerians should disregard the mischievous falsehood being spread on the social media by focusing on challenges confronting the Nation and possible way out,” he said.
In reality, there was no heavy security presence at the National Assembly before or during plenary on Wednesday, contrary to claims by some media platforms.
The fake news read:
BREAKING: DSS takes over NASS amid impeachment speculations
Oct 16, 2024
The premises of the National Assembly appears like a war zone this morning as men of the Department of State Security (DSS) have taken over amidst speculations of an impeachment move against Sen. Akpabio
Operatives of the DSS have taken control of the national assembly amidst allegations of a potential impeachment threat against Senate President, Goodswill Akpabio.
Speculations have swirled that some aggrieved northern senators, allegedly dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu, are reportedly reviving an earlier attempt to remove Akpabio from office.
Globally, parliaments have dedicated internal security personnel responsible for maintaining order and safety within and around the premises of parliament.
Other security agencies attached to these parliaments are present to ensure the safety of lives and property in the event of any security breach or threats that might disrupt the proceedings of lawmakers and staff, particularly when internal security is overwhelmed.
It has been observed this morning that from the main entrance to the second gate and all entrances within the premises, DSS men and women dressed in dark-colored suits, wearing intimidating dark shades have been stationed.
