By Obinna Uballa
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed reports of ill health following his return to Nigeria from what he described as a short vacation in London.
Akpabio, who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, around 4:00 a.m. on Monday, was received at the presidential wing by senators, aides, and supporters.
Addressing journalists, he described the speculation about his health as unfounded. “There’s nothing like that. I’m fit as a fiddle. I only stopped over in London for a short vacation,” he said.
The 62-year-old had earlier attended the sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 29 to 31, before proceeding to the United Kingdom.
According to him, the Nigerian delegation played an active role at the Geneva meeting in pushing for stronger democratic governance and better cooperation among arms of government.
Akpabio assured that the National Assembly would resume with “robust legislative engagements” after recess.
His remarks followed similar comments by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Gbenga Daniel, who had earlier debunked claims of Akpabio’s hospitalisation.
“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 during a meeting in London.
Akpabio, elected Senate President in June 2023, is a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and one-time Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
