October 20, (THEWILL) — A member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, has dismissed recent allegations by Pat Ibanga Akpabio against the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, describing them as baseless, malicious, and politically motivated.
In a statement titled “A Handshake Above the Elbow,” Prince Ukpong said he was compelled to speak out due to the gravity of the accusations and his long-standing working relationship with the Senate President. He recalled serving as Personal Assistant and later Senior Special Assistant to Akpabio throughout his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015.
“I was the closest member of the Akpabio family who served and worked with His Excellency when he was Governor. I know who he was, who he is, and what he can and cannot do,” Ukpong said.
He described Pat Akpabio’s claims—including allegations of neglect and even murder—as “false, spurious, and recycled propaganda once used by the opposition.”
According to him, similar accusations were investigated during Akpabio’s re-election campaign but were found to be unfounded.
On the allegation of murder, Prince Ukpong said, “That is the most insane, baseless, and spurious of them all. Even when Godswill Akpabio faced one of the most competitive electoral battles, violence was never an option, much less murder. His track record of performance, empowerment, and good governance was always his scorecard before the people.”
The lawmaker added that virtually every member of the extended Akpabio family benefitted from the Senate President’s generosity during his years as governor.
“Except for those born after 2015, there is no member of the Akpabio family who did not feel the impact of his benevolence, magnanimity, and generosity,” he said.
Prince Ukpong further noted that Pat Akpabio’s husband, Ibanga Akpabio, was a key member of the former governor’s inner circle and kitchen cabinet, questioning the sudden change in tone.
“How can one wake up ten years later to accuse His Excellency of not being benevolent when he held sway as Governor?” he asked.
He also condemned personal attacks against Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of the Senate President, describing them as culturally unacceptable.
“It is an abomination to insult her in that manner. Her Excellency is not only the wife of the Senate President but a senior wife in the Akpabio family, and insulting her is an affront to tradition and decency,” he said.
Prince Ukpong emphasized that Senator Akpabio’s rise to leadership was built on integrity and public trust, recalling his victory at the 2007 governorship primaries against the son-in-law of a sitting governor as proof of his political credibility.
“This was a feat he achieved through loyalty and service, from his first appointment as Commissioner, through eight unbroken years as Governor, his tenure as Senate Minority Leader and Minister of Niger Delta, to his current position as Senate President,” he added.
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he termed deliberate falsehoods, calling for restraint in making public comments on private family matters.
“Enough of the blackmail, enough of the character assassination, and enough of the unwarranted attacks on the reputation of a man in the name of politics,” he declared.
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