“I met Senate President Akpabio in London, and he is not hospitalised,” — Gbenga Daniel

Gbenga Daniel, chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy and Ogun East senator, has dismissed recent rumors claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is hospitalized in London. Daniel clarified the situation following a personal visit to Akpabio in London, where he made a stopover to update the Senate President on his plans to return to Nigeria for an important upcoming bye-election.

In a statement issued on Monday, Daniel confirmed that his visit to Akpabio was both cordial and productive. He explained that the purpose of his visit was to formally inform Akpabio of his intention to participate in the August 16 bye-election for the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North federal constituency seat in Ogun State. This seat became vacant after the death of Adewumi Onanuga, the former deputy whip of the House of Representatives.

“I am here to formally inform you, Mr. Senate President, that I will be returning to Nigeria to partake in the August 16 bye-election into the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North federal constituency, which was declared vacant after the death of late Hon. Onanuga,” Daniel said during the meeting.

He also addressed the rumors about Akpabio’s health, saying, “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.”

Responding to Daniel’s visit, Senate President Akpabio expressed gratitude and confidence in the ruling party’s ability to retain the seat. He highlighted the crucial support from Governor Dapo Abiodun and other party stakeholders in Ogun State. “With the commitments and support of Governor Dapo Abiodun, your good self and other stakeholders of our party in the state, we will retain the House of Representatives seat at the end of the election,” Akpabio said.

Akpabio also extended his congratulations in advance to Daniel, emphasizing his strong connection to the constituency and local support. “Let me congratulate you in advance, because you have all it takes to retain that federal constituency seat for our great party. You are from there, and interestingly, the governor is also from there, so I don’t harbour any fear.”

On the ongoing speculation about his health, Akpabio dismissed the rumors as exaggerations fueled by social media. “If you listen to social media, you will go to war,” he said, underscoring the need for caution when interpreting unverified reports.