Nigerian Journalist, Adeola Fayehun has sparked reactions online after calling for prayers for the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, amid reports that he is receiving emergency medical care in London.
In a video posted via her Instagram page, Fayehun urged Nigerians to set aside political sentiments and focus on the human reality of health challenges.
She disclosed that her sources in London confirmed that Akpabio is currently on admission at a hospital following an alleged collapse.
“My people we need to pray,” Fayehun said, noting that the situation was not one for mockery.
According to her, the Senate President reportedly collapsed again and the doctors were yet to determine the exact cause of the medical emergency.
She recalled a similar incident in December 2023, when Akpabio was said to have collapsed shortly after his birthday celebration, noting that the recurrence made the situation more concerning.
“Today is not about making fun of anybody but I have sources in London who have confirmed that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio is presently on admission at the London Hospital allegedly for emergency medical care.
“According to sources, he collapsed again and they don’t know exactly what it is yet and this is not a time to make fun of him no matter what you think of him, anybody can have health challenges.”
Fayehun seized the moment to question Nigeria’s over dependence on foreign medical care by political leaders.
She expressed personal distress that Akpabio had to be flown to London, pointing out that the five-to-six-hour flight time from Abuja to London could be critical in the face of an emergency.
Fayehun questioned why Nigeria’s top officials still seek treatment abroad despite repeated claims of heavy investment in healthcare infrastructure.
She cited figures indicating that over ₦17 billion was spent on the Aso Rock Presidential Clinic between 2015 and 2024, an amount she estimated at about $12 million.
“If the Senate President cannot be treated there,” she said, “what exactly are we spending money on at that clinic?”
She further noted the irony that Nigerian doctors are often part of the medical teams treating leaders abroad
Fayehun concluded by warning that neglecting public institutions ultimately harms everyone, including those in power.
“I’m personally pained that they had to fly him all the way to London. You know that five or six hours flight from Abuja to London is enough to do an emergency surgery if he needed a surgery ASAP instead of flying him out of the country.
“I honesty cannot wrap my head around exactly why our leaders don’t build good hospitals for us or at least equip the hospitals that we have with world class equipments when they go abroad like that sometimes it is still Nigerian doctors that treat them and every year we claim to spending so much money on the presidential clinic at Aso Rock.
“Just between 2015 and last year, more that 17 billion Naira was spent on Aso Rock Clinic, that’s about 12 million dollars and then when the Senate President collapsed again, why couldn’t he be treated there.
“If he cannot treated at the clinic please what exactly are we spending money on at that clinic. When we beg people to do the right thing, they think that it’s just for us and they think that not doing it is only hurting us, it’s hurting you too.”
Her remarks have sparked comments from many Nigerians,
@dr515 said; “Pray for him?!!! Ok, oh God our heavenly Father, if this man has been a good leader, and his hands are clean, heal him. But if he is part of the problems we have in Nigeria, and has used his position to bully and mistreat people, Abba Father, treat him like he treated others, in multiple folds!!! It is a righteous thing for God to recompense tribulation in them that trouble us(2Thess 1:6;)!! In Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen!!!!”
@kellyscyril wrote; “Thank you for passing the information in polite way 😂 the wicked will perish …..so says the Lord”
@tj.kols said; “The thing is, you guys just think these people will just suddenly have a change of heart and do the right thing. Lol
Quite bold of you to assume that “we are all praying” for him”
@bimbopams commented; “His family should pray. I have my own prayer list I’m not done with yet.”
@ademolaadebayp questioned; “How long should we continue praying for bad leaders? God should judge them justly.”
NPO reports that as at the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Senate or the Senate President’s media team confirming his health status or hospitalisation.