Pat Akpabio: Don’t destroy leaders God has raised for Akwa Ibom — Govt urges youths

• Senate President Akpabio & Pat Akpabio 

The Akwa Ibom State Government has urged young people not to destroy the leaders that God has raised for the state at all levels by tarnishing their character, attacking their integrity, and making baseless and often unfounded allegations against them.

The government’s reaction followed a visit from members of the Akwa Ibom Youth Coalition, who staged a peaceful protest at the Government House regarding certain issues raised by a female member of the Greater Akpabio family, of which Senate President Godswill Akpabio is a prominent and notable member.

A release signed by Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated on Thursday that the youths presented a letter outlining their concerns, which was received by the Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, on behalf of Governor Umo Eno.

The release stated: “While, as Government, we don’t 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 to be the ones 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 our leaders.

“We must maintain the peace we are nationally known for. It is the peace we enjoy that brings development, attracts visitors and tourists to our State, and we must guard this great gift jealously”.

The government reiterated that while the wounds caused by harsh attacks on state leaders may heal, the scars may always remain fresh.

“While we reiterate the fact that family feuds remain within the confines of privacy, we wish to add that the Office and Person of the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria bring great and immense pride to the people of Akwa Ibom State and should, therefore, be accorded the highest respect possible”.

Pat Akpabio Vs Senate President

Patience Akpabio, sister-in-law to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and wife of former Commissioner for Labour, Productivity, and Manpower Development, Mr. Ibanga Akpabio, has recently made serious allegations in several social media videos where she claimed that Senator Akpabio is linked to a number of unresolved murders that took place in Akwa Ibom State during his governorship from 2007 to 2015.

The situation has intensified on social media, with notable figures such as Usoro Akpanusoh, a former two-term member of the state house of assembly, and Patrick Umoh, a current member of the house of representatives, cautioning against what they describe as a “campaign of blackmail” aimed at the Senate President.

Global INSIGHT reports that the Afe Nkuku Annang, the highest traditional authority in Annang land, on Tuesday, summoned Patience Akpabio and her husband, Ibanga, in response to the “malicious statements” made by Patience against the Senate President.

Both Patience and her husband, Ibanga, were given a seven-day ultimatum by the monarchs to appear before the council for clarification and potential cleansing in accordance with Annang cultural traditions, with a warning that failure to comply could lead to severe punitive measures against the couple.

Global INSIGHT also reports that, a group, the Annang Women Advocacy Network International (AWANI), condemned Patience Akpabio’s remarks, labeling them as “disrespectful and abominable” towards the Senate President.

The group’s President, Uduak Essien (Canada), along with vice presidents from the USA, UK, Ireland, France, Asia, Australia, and Nigeria, expressed their disappointment in a communiqué, describing her statements as a “spiritual transgression and a desecration of Annang values.”

They cautioned that Patience’s actions have provoked the anger of both the people and the ancestors of Annang land.