Senate President Godswill Akpabio is currently receiving medical treatment in London following a reported collapse earlier this month, according to sources within the National Assembly.
The sources disclosed that Akpabio collapsed on the 10th of the month and was immediately flown to the United Kingdom in a private jet, said to have been provided by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote. Since then, he has remained hospitalised, undergoing medical care.
His health condition has reportedly kept him away from key official responsibilities, including the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) interactive session held on Wednesday. It was gathered that his ailment was serious enough to require continued treatment overseas.
A source further revealed that this is not the first time the Senate President has been rushed abroad for medical attention, raising concerns about his health and ability to continue leading the upper legislative chamber.
Several senators were said to have travelled to London to visit him. One source confirmed that multiple lawmakers had gone to check on his condition during his hospital stay.
It was also gathered that doctors attending to Akpabio have reportedly advised him to significantly reduce his workload. One briefing indicated that medical experts had even suggested he step aside from Senate duties to focus on his health.
Akpabio’s absence was noticeable during the MTEF and FSP engagement, a critical session outlining Nigeria’s medium-term economic and fiscal plans. He was represented at the event by Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, confirming his inability to attend in person.
Further indications of his condition emerged from aides monitoring developments around his movements, with one source hinting at arrangements being made concerning his travel.
Akpabio’s last known public appearance was on December 9, when the Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following an attempted coup. He announced the approval during plenary after lawmakers deliberated on the matter.
At the time, the Senate President described the decision as crucial, stressing that instability in a neighbouring country could pose wider risks to the West African region, noting that regional security required collective responsibility.
He should resign from the position of SP and be a floor member, after all his dues and entitlements will get to him than staying put knowing too well that his health could not carry the rigorous job of the SP.