Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor Refutes Claims of Sponsoring Bill Criminalising Women Over Affairs With Married Men

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, has dismissed reports alleging that she sponsored a controversial bill before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, describing the claims as false, misleading, and without basis.
In a statement released by her Press Secretary, Mr. Omen Bassey, the deputy governor said her office had been overwhelmed with enquiries following the circulation of a message on social media alleging that the House of Assembly planned to pass a law on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, aimed at criminalising women accused of having sexual relationships with married men.
According to the viral message, the alleged bill — said to have been sponsored by Senator Akon Eyakenyi — proposed a 10-year prison sentence without an option of fine for any woman found guilty, while the married man involved would allegedly face a ₦2 million fine.
However, the statement firmly rejected the report, stressing that the deputy governor did not sponsor any such bill and had no knowledge of the existence of the purported legislation.
“Her Excellency, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, has not sponsored any bill in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly or elsewhere, and she is completely unaware of the bill being circulated online,” the statement read.
The deputy governor’s office further explained that, under constitutional provisions, the deputy governor lacks the authority to independently initiate or sponsor legislation.
“As a member of the State Executive Council, the Deputy Governor cannot on her own introduce a bill. Any executive bill must first be deliberated upon and approved by the Council before being forwarded to the Legislature by Governor Umo Eno or an authorised representative,” the statement clarified.
It also pointed out that the controversial claim did not originate from any official communication channel of either the Akwa Ibom State Government or the State House of Assembly.
The office therefore urged the public to completely disregard the false report and advised citizens to rely solely on verified and official government sources for accurate and credible information.