Traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom summon Ibanga Akpabio, wife over ’malicious statements’ against Senate President
The Afe Nkuku Annang, the apex body of traditional rulers in Annang land, has summoned a former Commissioner for Labour, Productivity, and Manpower Development, Mr. Ibanga Akpabio, and his wife, Patience, regarding what they described as “recent malicious statements circulating on social media, allegedly made by Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio” against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
The traditional rulers also gave Ibanga Akpabio and his wife a seven-day ultimatum to appear before the Afe Nkuku Annang for clarification and possible cleansing in accordance with Annang traditional norms and culture.
They stated that failure to do so would result in the Afe considering drastic punitive sanctions against Mr. Ibanga Akpabio and his wife.
Patience Akpabio, s sister-in-law of the Senate President, has made claims in several video recordings posted on social media in recent weeks, linking Senator Akpabio to numerous unresolved killings that occurred in Akwa Ibom State during his tenure as governor from 2007 to 2015.
However, during an expanded meeting of all the paramount rulers, clan leaders, village heads, and family heads in the Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district held in Ikot Ekpene, on Monday, the kings exonerated the Senate President from the accusations made by Patience.
They stated that they would be compelled to take traditional and moral measures to defend truth, dignity, and the unity of Annang land if the “unfounded accusations” persist.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Obong Cosmas Okon Akpan, the Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim, along with seven other paramount rulers, they stated:
“The Afe Nkuku Annang views these verbal tirades and malicious posts as serious defamation against the person and reputation of both Senator Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno, and therefore takes strong exception to the dragging of these esteemed personalities into public ridicule and disrepute.
“The Forum notes that if Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio had any issues of personal or domestic concern, she should have explored appropriate resolution including reporting to her family, elders, and other traditional institutions and, in cases involving criminal allegations, the law enforcement agencies. mechanisms“
The forum reaffirmed its solidarity and support for President Bola Tinubu, Senator Akpabio, and Pastor Umo Eno for their leadership, commitment to good governance, and contributions to the peace and development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
