Ebola fear at National Assembly as senators avoid handshakes

‎According to a report by Daily Trust on October 21, 2026, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that some senators refused to shake hands with him at the National Assembly on Wednesday amid fears over reported Ebola cases in Nigeria.

‎‎According to Daily Trust, Akpabio made the disclosure during a Senate debate on a motion seeking to declare a national state of emergency over the public health threat.

‎‎The Senate President said the reaction of his colleagues reflected the level of concern among lawmakers over the reported cases and the need to address the situation.

‎‎During the proceedings, Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed that lawmakers who were absent from the session should be placed in quarantine before being allowed to return to the chamber.

‎‎Oshiomhole said the measure would help protect those attending the sitting, arguing that the whereabouts and travel histories of the absent senators were not immediately known.

‎‎Akpabio agreed with the concerns raised and directed that medical testing kits be placed at the entrance of the Senate chamber to screen lawmakers before they entered.

‎‎The incident occurred as senators considered measures to address the Ebola threat, with the debate highlighting concerns about the possible spread of the disease and the need for precautionary steps within the National Assembly.

‎The report did not establish whether any senator or other person at the National Assembly had tested positive for Ebola.

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