ABUJA, Nigeria — The President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has refuted claims of an alleged plot to impeach him, dismissing recent media reports that the National Assembly was under heightened security to prevent his removal.
Akpabio assured that members of the Senate are united, and he urged the public to disregard the false report.
During the plenary session on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Akpabio addressed the rumours circulating in the media, which suggested that operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) had occupied the National Assembly Complex to foil an impeachment attempt.
The Senate president described the report as baseless, adding that the Senate was conducting its duties peacefully.
“We are here, sitting down and doing our work very peacefully, oblivious of the mischief going on behind us,” Akpabio said, further stressing that no impeachment plot existed.
He directed the Senate Committee on Special Duties to investigate the report, instructing them to present their findings within 24 hours.
“The fake news is hereby referred to the committee on special duties, and they should report back to the Senate in 24 hours,” Akpabio declared during the session.
Allegations of Blackmail for Traffic
Akpabio suggested that the report was part of an effort to drive traffic to the media platform responsible for it, accusing the outlet of spreading fake news for financial gain.
“It is part of what we pass through on a daily basis. They use AI to inject something and turn it around in order to drive traffic,” he explained.
“Whoever brought out this fake news must be getting a lot of payment because of the traffic going on, but I hope the public is aware that this is total fake news.”
The Senate president reiterated the unity within the chamber, dismissing any possibility of impeachment. He also emphasised the stability of the Senate under his leadership.
Committee Investigation Launched
Responding to Akpabio’s directive, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Kaka Shehu, assured the Senate that his committee would thoroughly investigate the matter and report back as soon as possible.
This is not the first time rumours of an impeachment plot have surfaced since Akpabio assumed office in June 2023.
Similar reports emerged just two months into his tenure, with some alleging that Akpabio could be too closely aligned with President Bola Tinubu, raising concerns that he might turn the Senate into a “rubber stamp” for the presidency.
However, none of the senators have confirmed any moves to unseat the Senate president. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu also dismissed the rumours, affirming the unity within the upper chamber and stating that removing Akpabio was “impossible.”
The Senate Committee on Special Duties is expected to deliver its findings on the matter within the stipulated timeframe.
