The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in London after reportedly collapsing earlier this month, according to sources in the National Assembly. The sources said Akpabio “collapsed on the 10th of this month and was rushed to London in a private jet provided by billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote.” His condition was described as serious enough to require continued overseas care.
The development reportedly kept Akpabio away from official duties, including the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) interactive session held on Wednesday. SaharaReporters was informed that this is “the second time he is being rushed to London for treatment,” raising concerns about his health and capacity to lead the Senate. Some senators were also said to have travelled to London to check on him.
Sources further disclosed that doctors have advised the Senate President to reduce his workload. One briefing stated that “Doctors are advising him to step down from the Senate to attend to his health.” Akpabio was represented at the MTEF and FSP session by Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi. His last public appearance was on December 9, when he presided over Senate approval of Nigeria’s troop deployment to Benin Republic.