The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has denied reports suggesting that the Department of State Services (DSS) has taken over the National Assembly premises to halt an alleged impeachment plot against him.

Akpabio made the clarification on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.

He described the report as “fake news” and jokingly suggested that those spreading the rumours may be motivated by website traffic and potential revenue.

“[They said DSS] has surrounded the national assembly to possibly stop the impeachment of principal officers,” he said.

“There is no limit to social media… we are sitting down here doing our work peacefully oblivious of the mischief.

“Which committee do we refer this to?

“I understand that they are being paid if they have a lot of traffic, but I hope the public is aware that this is total fake news.”

Akpabio thereafter referred the matter to the Special Duties Committee, tasking them to report back “as soon as possible.”