Withdraw baseless accusations against Akpabio, Gov Eno, monarchs warn Senate President’s Sister-in-law 

The forum of Paramount Rulers in Annang land, Afe Nkuku Annang, has cautioned Patience Akpabio, sister-in-law of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to stop the malicious attacks against him and Governor Umo Eno.  Reacting to a recent Facebook post by Patience, who accused Akpabio of being behind some violent incidents in the state, while he […]

The forum of Paramount Rulers in Annang land, Afe Nkuku Annang, has cautioned Patience Akpabio, sister-in-law of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to stop the malicious attacks against him and Governor Umo Eno. 

Reacting to a recent Facebook post by Patience, who accused Akpabio of being behind some violent incidents in the state, while he was governor, the Afe Nkuku Annang gave Akpabio’s brother, Ibanga Akpabio and his wife, Patience Akpabio, a seven-day ultimatum to appear before them to clarify the issues raised against the Senate President.

According to the Facebook post, Patience Akpabio said, “For all the people you people have killed when you were the governor of (Akwa Ibom), and those you people have killed now that you are in the Senate, It will not be well with you”.

The body threatened the couple with disciplinary actions if they fail to appear before it in a communique signed by HRM Obong Cosmas Okon Akpan, the paramount Ruler of Essien Udim LGA, and President Akuku (Prof.) Amanam Akpanudo Udo; Paramount Ruler, Etim Ekpo L.G.A. and Vice President Akuku Annang, Engr. (Dr.) J. J. Obosi IV (JP) Paramount Ruler, Oruk Anam LGA respectively.

According to the communique issued at the Ati-Annang Secretariat in Ikot-Ekpene after a solidarity campaign against the accusations by Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district, the body expressed displeasure over the issue, saying it has dragged for too long in the social media space.

”The Afe Nkuku Annang, the apex body of traditional rulers in Annang land, has observed with deep concern the recent dragging and malicious statements circulating on social media, allegedly made by Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio against the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a revered son of Annang land, Senator (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio,  and more recently, against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.

”As custodians of the rich cultural heritage, peace, and moral values of Annang land, the Afe Nkuku Annang is constrained to wade into the matter and hereby issues.

”The Afe Nkuku Annang hereby gives Barr. Ibanga Akpabio, her husband, a seven days ultimatum to appear before the Afe Nkuku Annang alongside his wife, Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio, for clarification and possible cleansing in line with Annang traditional norms and culture, failure of which the Afe shall not hesitate to consider a drastic punitive sanction(s) against Mr. Ibanga Akpabio and his wife, Patience Ibanga Akpabio.

”The Afe Nkuku Annang strongly condemns the vulgar and unguarded statements attributed to Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio, who, being married into Annang land and specifically into the distinguished Akpabio Family of Essien Udim Local Government Area, is expected to uphold the decorum and dignity associated with her marital home and the Annang nation.

”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.

”Rather than pursue these lawful and dignified avenues, she chose to resort to social media taunting and blackmail with the apparent intent to malign and assassinate the character of the Senate President.”, the communique stated.

While exonerating Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno from all allegations made by Patience Akpabio, the group said, “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 forurm hereby exonerates the President of the Senate, H.E. Sen. Godswill Akpabio and H.E. Pst. Umo Eno from all baseless and unfounded accusations made by Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio,” the communique stated.