Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has expressed concern over the attacks on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and his wife, Ekaette Unoma, by a sister-in-law, Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio.
He described such actions as an insult and denigration of leaders and ambassadors of the state.
Mrs Ibanga, in a series of verbal outbursts against the Senate President, his wife, and family on social media, levelled allegations of murder, oppression, greed, and failure to compensate those who supported him to various positions in government at both the state and federal levels.
She also alleged that the Senate President was married to a former runs girl, an accusation that has drawn the ire of traditional institutions, political stakeholders, and youths, who earlier this week protested and sought for a probe into the wild allegations as well as sanctions where necessary.
Ibanga also maintained that Akpabio had failed, and because of this, she intends to challenge his Senate nomination ticket for Akwa Ibom North/West in 2027.
However, to calm the tension generated by Mrs Ibanga’s outburst, Governor Eno, at the weekend, waded in and condemned the resort to insults and blackmail against leaders of the state.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Ekerette Udoh, the governor explained that although the issue could be viewed as a private family matter, he had an obligation to intervene.
According to him, his administration would not tolerate insults, blackmail, or public embarrassment of top Akwa Ibom leaders who had brought laurels, prestige, and honour to the state from their vantage positions in public administration and governance.
He said; “On Tuesday, October 21, youths under the aegis of the Akwa Ibom Youth Coalition (AIYC) came to Government House, Uyo, to peacefully protest over certain issues raised by a female member of the Greater Akpabio family, of which the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the 10th National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, is a prominent and notable member.”
The youths, he stated, presented a letter outlining their concerns, which was duly received by the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, on behalf of the governor.
“While, as a government, we do not dabble into family matters whose resolutions reside purely within the realms of privacy and family level, we, however, appeal to our younger generation not to destroy the leaders God has raised for us at all levels by besmirching their character, attacking their integrity, and making wild and oftentimes unfounded allegations against them.
“We must show respect to our leaders at all times across party lines and not be known as those who seek to destroy our prophets.
“Our leaders across party lines are our enduring assets, and we must not engage in tendencies that may, in the long run, diminish their standing in society. We have always been a society that shows respect to our leaders. Let us return to that path of civility in our engagements with them.
“We must maintain the peace we are nationally known for. It is this peace we enjoy that brings development, attracts visitors and tourists to our state, and we must guard this great gift jealously.
“Let me reiterate here that the wounds from vituperative outbursts hurled at our leaders may heal, but the scars may remain ever fresh,” the Governor added.
