On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, a rumor spread like wildfire that there was an alleged impeachment plot targeting the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The rumors first surfaced through an online news outlet in Abuja, claiming that a group of Senators, mostly from the Northern region, had planned to impeach Akpabio. The report suggested that some southern Senators had also joined this plot. This triggered a flurry of reactions from different quarters, especially from the Senate leadership and other political figures.
The Rumor Spreads
The report, which was titled “DSS Takes Over National Assembly Amid Impeachment Speculations Against Senate President Akpabio,” claimed that security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), had been deployed to prevent any disturbances in the Senate, given the brewing tension surrounding the alleged impeachment. According to the report, the plot was being orchestrated by a group of Northern Senators, with several Southern Senators allegedly buying into the idea.
While this story gained significant traction on social media, the Senate itself was in the midst of a calm and uneventful plenary session, presided over by Akpabio. During this session, lawmakers continued their usual business, seemingly unaffected by the rumors swirling in the media.
Senate President Responds to the Rumors
In response to the viral rumors, Senator Akpabio took to the Senate floor to dismiss the claims. He addressed the issue directly, labeling the reports as “false and laughable.” The Senate President assured everyone that there was no truth to the allegations and that the Senate was functioning smoothly without any disruptions. He noted that these kinds of rumors were not new and that they were often part of a larger effort by some individuals to spread falsehoods in order to gain attention and generate traffic on social media platforms.
Akpabio expressed his belief that the creators of these rumors were likely motivated by financial incentives, as social media platforms often reward content that attracts high traffic. He stated, “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.” Despite the unfounded rumors, he maintained that the Senate was in a state of stability, and no discussions about his impeachment had taken place.
Furthermore, he asked Senator Shehu Kaka, who heads the Senate Committee on Special Duties, to investigate the rumors and report back with findings. This was a clear indication that the Senate was serious about getting to the bottom of the issue.
Senate Leadership Denies the Allegations
Following Akpabio’s statement, there was a rapid response from other top Senate leaders. Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, quickly called an emergency press briefing along with Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum.
At the press briefing, Adaramodu vehemently rejected the report, describing it as “false” and “satanic.” He went on to call the report a “lie from the pit of hell,” adding that the Senate was united behind Akpabio’s leadership. Adaramodu also addressed the notion that Northern Senators were dissatisfied with Akpabio’s leadership, firmly stating that such claims were untrue. He stressed that no Senator, from any region, had ever entertained the idea of impeaching the Senate President.
Senator Yar’Adua echoed these sentiments, reiterating that the Northern Senators’ Forum was fully supportive of Akpabio’s leadership. He emphasized that the forum had never discussed or heard of any impeachment plot, further assuring Nigerians that the Senate was focused on addressing the important issues affecting the nation, rather than engaging in baseless political drama.
In his statement, Yar’Adua urged the public to ignore the rumors and remain focused on the critical work being done by the Senate for the betterment of Nigeria.
Akpabio’s Media Adviser Weighs In
Just minutes after the Senate leadership’s joint press conference, Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, also issued a statement denouncing the impeachment claims. Eyiboh described the rumors as the work of “fifth columnists” — individuals who profit from spreading lies and misinformation. He went on to say that these rumors were designed to create division and discord within the Senate but assured the public that they would not distract Akpabio or the Senate from their work.
Eyiboh stressed that there were no cracks within the Senate and that every Senator was focused on advancing the legislative agenda for the country’s development. He also pointed out that such malicious rumors were part of a broader scheme to destabilize the Senate and undermine the country’s democracy. Akpabio’s media adviser urged Nigerians to disregard the claims and concentrate on the Senate’s progress and ongoing efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians.
Presidency Responds
The response to the impeachment rumor didn’t stop at the Senate. The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, also weighed in with a statement aimed at calming public concern. Lado described the reports of an impeachment plot as “baseless” and assured Nigerians that there was no discord among the Senators. He further emphasized that the Senate was united in its mission to advance Nigeria’s democracy and that the President was committed to maintaining a harmonious relationship with the legislature.
Lado clarified that any security presence at the National Assembly was purely for routine safety and not due to any alleged threats or tensions among the lawmakers. The statement aimed to reassure the public that the Senate was operating without interference and that the rumors were unfounded.
Is There a Plot or Is It Just Smoke?
Despite the multiple rebuttals and dismissals of the impeachment rumors, the question remains: is there any truth to the claim? While the widespread denials from the Senate leadership, the Presidency, and Akpabio’s media team have painted the situation as nothing more than a baseless rumor, the fact that the Senate has instructed an official investigation into the matter suggests there could be more to it than meets the eye.
Senator Shehu Kaka, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, has been tasked with investigating the allegations. The outcome of this probe could shed more light on whether there was any substance to the impeachment plot or if it was simply the result of malicious rumors designed to stir trouble.
For now, though, it appears that the Senate remains firmly behind Akpabio, and the reports of an impeachment plot are likely to be dismissed as another attempt to destabilize Nigeria’s political landscape. As the investigation progresses, Nigerians will be waiting for clarity on whether this was just a smoke without fire or a more serious issue that needs to be addressed.
In the meantime, the Senate continues its work, undeterred by the noise of social media and media reports, and focused on the legislative agenda that will shape the future of Nigeria.
