Annang women in diaspora condemn Patience Akpabio over comments on Senate President
• Patience Akpabio
The Annang Women Advocacy Network International (AWANI) has issued a strong statement condemning Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio over what they described as “disrespectful and abominable utterances” against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.
In a communique dated October 22, 2025, and jointly signed by the group’s President, Uduak Essien (Canada), and other vice presidents representing the USA, UK, Ireland, France, Asia, Australia, and Nigeria, expressed dismay at the comments allegedly made by Mrs. Akpabio on social media.
AWANI described her statements as a “spiritual transgression and a desecration of Annang values,” warning that her actions have drawn the anger of both the people and the ancestors of Annang land.
The statement reads in part, “You are dancing naked in the market square, bringing shame and dishonour upon yourself and the values of Annang womanhood. Our culture forbids such open display of disrespect to elders and leaders of the land.”
The group further noted that the alleged comments were not only an affront to Senator Akpabio, who they described as an illustrious son of Annang land, but also a slight to the entire community and its traditional norms, while calling on her to retract her statements immediately and make amends.
The statement further warned that the organization would not tolerate any attempt to ridicule or undermine its cultural heritage, urging Mrs. Akpabio desisted from actions capable of “bringing dishonour to womanhood and to Annang traditions.”
“Annang land will not stand idly by while you attempt to pull down our community, its values, and our illustrious son,” the group stated.
AWANI reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the dignity of Annang women both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, maintaining that “Annang women do not dance naked in the market square.”
