Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed murder and betrayal allegations made against him by his sister-in-law, Pastor Pat Akpabio, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate president said Pat should report her claims to security agencies instead of making accusations on social media.
“Killing is at the heart of our criminal justice administration. So, I expect a citizen who is aware of the commission of such a crime to be honest enough and be responsive by reporting or inviting the attention of the appropriate department of state to investigate,” Eyiboh said, as quoted by PREMIUM TIMES.
“The issue of murder is not an issue that you want to use for a political vendetta. The law is very clear that whoever asserts must prove,” he added.
Eyiboh described Senator Akpabio as “a very humble and strong family person” and said his sister-in-law was taking advantage of these qualities.
“I think she is just doing it for attention. Who is going to give her that attention? The Senate president is very busy,” he said, adding that the allegations would not affect Akpabio’s image.
“It cannot. Because apart from the person who alleges, every other person is aware that those accusations do not exist.”
Pat, who is married to Akpabio’s brother, Ibanga, had in a Facebook video posted on October 11 accused the Senate president of being responsible for “many killings” in Akwa Ibom State when he was governor.
“For all the people you people have killed when you were the governor (of Akwa Ibom) and those you people have killed now that you are in the Senate, it will never be well with you,” she said.
Before venturing into politics, Akpabio worked as a teacher and later as a lawyer in the law firm of Paul Usoro and Co. He also worked with EMIS Telecoms Limited, rising to become managing director and chief executive officer.
Pat, a pastor and businesswoman, accused Akpabio of neglecting his hometown, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, which she said has been without electricity for weeks, despite his position as Senate president.
She also claimed Akpabio accused her husband of wrongdoing and betrayal during his failed 2019 senatorial bid.
She went further to accuse him of betraying several politicians who once supported him, including Umana Okon Umana, Nsima Ekere, Akan Udofia and Bassey Albert.
She vowed to challenge him in the 2027 senatorial election, saying, “When you finish, go home. This is your quit notice. Go home and rest; you need to take care of yourself.”
Pat also warned President Bola Tinubu to be cautious in his relationship with Akpabio and threatened to release more damaging information about him.
“You know I love you. I don’t hate you. I love you because you are a brother to my husband. I stood by you in 2019 when people wrote all sorts of things against you. Did I collect 10 kobo from you? Today, you have the audacity to say that you are the one that made me,” she said.
