Akwa Ibom elder defends Akpabio, condemns false allegations as malicious, baseless

Akwa Ibom elder defends Akpabio, condemns false allegations as malicious, baseless

Chief Nse Ntuen, a respected Akwa Ibom elder and former member of the State House of Assembly, has strongly condemned the recent spate of unfounded allegations and verbal attacks against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Speaking in a statement issued on Sunday, Chief Ntuen — who has known Senator Akpabio for over 50 years — dismissed the claims as malicious fabrications aimed at tarnishing the Senate President’s reputation.

He described the allegations, purportedly circulated by Akpabio’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio, as “baseless, malicious, and inconsistent with the Senator’s proven character and public record.”

Chief Ntuen, who serves as the Honorary Adviser to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, emphasized that the false claims were driven by “personal bitterness and deliberate mischief rather than verifiable fact.”

According to him, “These allegations, which lack both factual basis and common sense, demean public discourse and undermine the values of decency for which Akwa Ibom people are known. We must never allow reckless falsehoods to replace dialogue and truth.”

He expressed full support for the recent resolution of the Greater Akpabio family, which reaffirmed confidence in Senator Akpabio’s leadership and restated the family’s unity. Ntuen noted that the family’s position should be regarded as final and authoritative on domestic matters of this nature.

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“The attacks on Senator Akpabio are not just assaults on his person,” Ntuen said, “but also affronts to the collective integrity of Essien Udim and Akwa Ibom State.”

He lamented that such distractions were emerging at a time when Senator Akpabio was working closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen legislative frameworks for economic recovery and national renewal.

Ntuen urged the public to ignore the falsehoods, describing them as attempts to inflame emotions and divert attention from meaningful governance.

Commending Akpabio’s composure and restraint in the face of provocation, Ntuen said the Senate President’s dignified silence reflected “personal strength, political maturity, and leadership by example.”

“Leadership is not theatre; it is service,” he added. “Senator Akpabio’s calm disposition and focus on legislative productivity continue to yield tangible results for Nigeria. His example shows that the best answer to malice is progress.”

The elder statesman further reminded public figures to be mindful of their words, stressing that reckless commentary erodes public trust and weakens democracy.

“What Nigeria needs today,” Ntuen concluded, “are builders, not destroyers; thinkers, not rumour peddlers. Senator Akpabio has chosen to build — and history will vindicate that choice.”

Akwa Ibom elder defends Akpabio, condemns false allegations as malicious, baseless