Senator Gbenga Daniel, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy and former Ogun State governor, has dismissed growing rumours surrounding the health of Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Daniel, who represents Ogun East in the National Assembly, confirmed he met with Akpabio in London and found him in good health, contrary to social media reports alleging that the Senate President had been hospitalised.
In a statement released by Akpabio’s media aide, Jackson Udom, Daniel clarified that his visit to the Senate President was both personal and political.
He used the opportunity to brief Akpabio on his return to Nigeria for the August 16 bye-election in the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency.
The poll was triggered by the passing of Hon. Adewumi Onanuga, the late Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives.
He said, “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.”
Commenting on the viral health rumours, Daniel noted, “The news out there is that you have been indisposed, but seeing you here now paints a very different picture. Congratulations, Your Excellency.”
Senator Akpabio, in response, expressed appreciation for the visit and used the opportunity to reaffirm his confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s chances in the upcoming bye-election.
Akpabio said, “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.
“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.”
Addressing the health speculation directly, Akpabio said, “If you listen to the social media, you will go to war,” implying that most of the online chatter is baseless and should not be taken seriously.
Akpabio, a former governor and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, became Senate President in 2023 and has since been a central figure in Nigeria’s legislative and political landscape.
Daniel’s renewed involvement in grassroots politics signals a strong strategic move by the APC to maintain dominance in the South-West.
As the bye-election draws near, political attention will remain fixed on Ogun State—not just for the outcome of the poll, but also for what it reveals about party unity and the future of key figures within the ruling party.
