Akpabio Is Not a Killer — Akwa Ibom Elder of Over 50 Years Dismisses Malicious Allegations

By our Correspondent

Chief Nse Ntuen, an Akwa Ibom elder and former member of the State House of Assembly who has known Senate President Godswill Akpabio for over 50 years, has vehemently condemned and dismissed recent false allegations and verbal attacks directed at the Senate President.

In a detailed statement issued in Uyo, Chief Ntuen — who currently serves as the Honorary Adviser to Governor Umo Eno — described the claims made by Akpabio’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio, as baseless, malicious, and contrary to the known character and public record of Senator Akpabio.

Ntuen, a former Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, the Senator’s home council, said:
“The allegations, which have no foundation in fact or reason, stem from personal bitterness and deliberate mischief rather than any verifiable truth or genuine grievance.”

He lamented that such behaviour undermines public decency and the values of Akwa Ibom people, warning that “reckless falsehood must never replace dialogue and truth.”

“These claims are not merely offensive,” he added, “they represent a conscious attempt to erode the dignity of honest leadership and sow unnecessary discord among a people bound by shared respect and history.”

Chief Ntuen aligned himself with the resolution of the Greater Akpabio Family, which recently reaffirmed its confidence in the Senate President and declared the family’s unity unbroken. He maintained that the family’s position remains the most credible and authoritative on the matter.

“These spurious attacks are not only an affront to Senator Akpabio but also to the collective reputation of Essien Udim and, by extension, Akwa Ibom State,” Ntuen stated.

He further noted that while Senator Akpabio is fully engaged with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in crafting legislative frameworks for national recovery, it is disappointing that anyone would attempt to distract the public with “malicious fiction and self-serving propaganda.”

Ntuen urged Nigerians to disregard the falsehoods, describing them as attempts to inflame passions and divert attention from meaningful governance.

He commended Akpabio’s composure and restraint amid provocations, describing his silence as “a mark of personal strength and political maturity.”

“In an age where instant reaction often replaces reflection, the Senate President has shown that calm focus remains the highest form of leadership,” he said.

According to Ntuen, “Leadership is not theatre; it is service. Senator Akpabio’s calm disposition and tireless efforts at the helm of the 10th Senate continue to yield tangible results for Nigeria. His focus on legislative efficiency and intergovernmental harmony proves that the best response to malice is progress.”

The elder further noted that public office demands dignity and that those privileged to serve must protect the integrity of governance from reckless commentary.

He advised all citizens, especially public figures, to be mindful of their utterances and the examples they set for the younger generation.

“When we reduce national discourse to gossip and innuendo, we weaken the very foundation of democracy. Nigeria needs builders, not destroyers; thinkers, not rumour peddlers. Senator Akpabio has chosen to be a builder, and history will vindicate that choice,” Ntuen stated.

Chief Ntuen, who also served as the former ALGON chairman in Akwa Ibom State, appealed for unity and restraint among Akwa Ibom people, stressing that personal grievances should not overshadow collective progress.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to Governor Umo Eno’s vision of peace and inclusive governance, as well as his unwavering support for Senator Akpabio, whom he described as “a true son of Akwa Ibom representing the state with distinction at the national level.”

“We stand with our leader, our brother, and our pride,” he declared. “Those who trade in falsehood will learn that truth, though patient, always endures. The focus must remain on nation-building — a cause to which Senator Akpabio remains steadfast, with calmness, clarity, and conviction,” Chief Ntuen concluded.