October 21, (THEWILL) — In a stern move to preserve its authority and communal values, the highest traditional council in Annangland, Akwa Ibom State, Afe Nkuku Annang, has summoned Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio and her husband, Barr. Ibanga Akpabio, over alleged defamatory remarks against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The council, in a communiqué issued from the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim Local Government Area, gave the couple seven days ultimatum to appear before it for clarification and traditional appeasement. It warned that failure to comply could attract “consequences sanctioned by Annang customs”.
The traditional rulers described Mrs Akpabio’s comments made in a viral video and on social media as reckless, injurious to the image of the Senate President, Governor Umo Eno, and an affront to the collective dignity of the Annang people. In the video, she accused Senator Akpabio of involvement in unresolved killings in the state and declared that it “will never be well” with him.
The council said such remarks amounted to desecration of cultural values, especially coming from someone married into the Akpabio royal lineage of Essien Udim. It condemned what it called a growing trend of using social media to malign leaders without evidence.
“These spurious attacks are not only affronts to Senator Akpabio’s person but also to the collective reputation of Essien Udim and, by extension, Akwa Ibom State”, the communiqué stated. Chief Nse Ntuen, who spoke for the council, said the body would no longer allow “a culture of reckless falsehood to replace dialogue and truth.”
The monarchs dismissed the allegations against Senator Akpabio and Governor Eno as baseless, and formally exonerated both leaders. They warned that failure by the couple to honour the summons within the stipulated seven days would trigger traditional and moral sanctions.
The communiqué was endorsed by HRM Obong Cosmas Okon Akpan, Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim and President of Afe Nkuku Annang; HRM Akuku (Prof.) Amanam Akpanudo Udo, Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo and Vice President; and HRM Akuku Engr. (Dr) J.J. Obosi IV, Paramount Ruler of Oruk Anam and Secretary-General, alongside other Annang monarchs.
The council also cautioned Mrs Akpabio and other individuals against future verbal or online assaults on prominent sons and daughters of Annangland, stating that it would be compelled to invoke traditional and moral interventions if such behaviour persists.
Reaffirming their loyalty, the monarchs pledged support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno, and commended their roles in promoting peace and development in the state and the nation.
With the seven-day ultimatum in motion, the traditional institution has made it clear that it will not tolerate further attempts to undermine its leaders or values.
