Akpabio returns from London, dismisses rumours of ill health

Godswill Akpabio, president of the senate, returned to Nigeria in the wee hours of Monday after what his media office described as a short vacation in London.

Akpabio arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 4am and was received at the presidential wing by senators, aides, and supporters.

His return comes amid rumours on social media that he was critically ill and hospitalised in London.

Speaking with journalists at the airport, Akpabio dismissed the reports, describing them as “the imagination of the purveyors”.

“There’s nothing like such. I’m fit as a fiddle. I only stopped over in London for a short vacation,” he said.

The senate president had earlier attended the sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 29 to 31, before proceeding to the UK.

He said the Nigerian delegation at the Geneva conference played an important role in advocating for deeper democratic governance and better synergy between arms of government.

Akpabio promised Nigerians “robust legislative engagements” when the senate resumes from recess.

The 62-year-old, who was elected president of the 10th senate in June 2023, previously served as governor of Akwa Ibom and minister of Niger Delta affairs.

On August 11, Gbenga Daniel, chairman of the senate committee on navy, dismissed reports that Akpabio was hospitalised 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, the Ogun east senator, said during a meeting with Akpabio in London.

Here are some photos from the senate president’s return.