Senate has directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate widespread rumours , alleging the collapse and eventual death of its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and a former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, as published in the social media.
The resolution followed its consideration of a motion moved by Senator Titus Zam (APC Benue North-West) during plenary under Order 42 of the Senate Rules.
In his motion, Senator Zam lamented that the social media had been awash with news that the Senate President had died in a London Hospital, whereas he is hale and hearty and presiding over plenary.
He also expressed dismay that a similar rumour had been peddled against former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon on social media on a day he attended a Christmas carol service in Abuja.
The lawmaker, therefore, called for probe of the misinformation and fake news with a view to identifying the promoters.
Responding to the matter, the Senate President acknowledged the difficulty of controlling social media narratives, stating that people cannot be prevented from writing what he described as “garbage in, garbage out”
According to him, the funeral of a prominent businessman in the country was also shown on social media even while the person referred to is still alive.
He sustained the motion moved by Zam and said the incident be referred to the office of NSA for diligent investigation to unravel the purveyors.
“Your Point of Order is sustained. I think all we can do is to refer it to the NSA for investigation,” Akpabio said.
