Senate President Akpabio Returns From London, Dismisses Illness Rumours

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has returned to Nigeria after what his media office described as a short vacation in London, dismissing widespread reports on social media that he was critically ill and hospitalised abroad.

Akpabio arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, around 4:00 am on Monday and was received at the presidential wing by a delegation of senators, aides, and supporters.

Speaking with journalists shortly after his arrival, the Senate President waved off the speculation about his health.

“There’s nothing like such. I’m fit as a fiddle. I only stopped over in London for a short vacation,” the 62-year-old lawmaker said.

Before his trip to the United Kingdom, Akpabio had attended the sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 29 to 31.

According to him, the Nigerian delegation played an active role at the summit by advocating for stronger democratic governance and improved collaboration between the arms of government.

Akpabio assured Nigerians that the upper chamber would hit the ground running when the National Assembly reconvenes from recess.

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“We promise robust legislative engagements when the Senate resumes from recess,” he pledged.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Gbenga Daniel, had earlier dismissed claims of Akpabio’s hospitalisation while meeting him in London.

“Your excellency, the news out there is that you have been indisposed, but seeing you here now paints a very different picture. Congratulations, your excellency,” Daniel told him.

Akpabio, who was elected Senate President in June 2023, previously served as Governor of Akwa Ibom State and later as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs before returning to the National Assembly.