Senate President Godswill Akpabio has returned to Nigeria after a brief trip to London, dismissing widespread rumours about his health as nothing more than “pure imagination sponsored by mischief-makers.” The former Akwa Ibom governor arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday night, August 18, 2025, to a cheering crowd of supporters.
Akpabio, 62, looked visibly energetic as he told journalists there was no cause for alarm, declaring he had only travelled to attend “a private family engagement” and not for any medical emergency. He insisted rumours of him collapsing abroad were spread by political enemies uncomfortable with his “bold reforms at the National Assembly.”
The false reports, which flooded social media last week, claimed the Senate President was battling an undisclosed illness in a London hospital. Screenshots even suggested he had been unconscious, fuelling panic among APC supporters across the South-South. His media aides repeatedly issued denials, but the rumours persisted until his return.
Crowds at the airport chanted “Leader! Leader!” as Akpabio waved and urged Nigerians to focus on national development rather than unhealthy gossip. He stressed that continuous fake health scares were being used to destabilise the government and distract him from legislative duties such as the ongoing review of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Political analysts say the rumours gained traction following Akpabio’s silence on the fuel subsidy palliative debate and the current nationwide labour unrest. Opposition groups have been accused of deliberately targeting his image as he consolidates his role as one of President Tinubu’s strongest allies in the Senate.
Akpabio promised to resume plenary this week “stronger and more prepared to deliver democracy dividends.” He said his legal team is already tracing the original source of the rumour, hinting at possible criminal libel action against individuals trying to drag his name into another round of public health speculation.
Supporters labelled his return a “victory against fake news,” echoing calls for legislative action to punish those who weaponise social media with malicious stories capable of causing panic in the country. Akpabio walked out smiling into a convoy of SUVs, waving once more as the airport chanted his name.
