Traditional rulers in Annang, Akwa Ibom State, have stepped into the dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his sister-in-law, Patience Akpabio, following a series of social media outbursts.
The royal council, known as the Afe Nkuku Annang, has summoned Patience and her husband, Ibanga Akpabio, to appear before it within seven days over what it described as “defamatory and inciting” posts against the senate president.
In a communique issued on Monday after a meeting at the Ati Annang Secretariat in Ikot Ekpene, the monarchs expressed concern over the “malicious and unguarded” statements allegedly made by Mrs. Akpabio. She had accused the Senate President of being connected to several killings in Akwa Ibom during his time as governor.
In one of her Facebook posts, she wrote, “For all the people you people have killed when you were governor of Akwa Ibom, and those you people have killed now that you are in the Senate, it will not be well with you.”
The Afe Nkuku Annang, in a communique signed by HRM Obong Cosmas Okon Akpan (Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim and President), Akuku Prof. Amanam Akpanudo Udo (Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo and Vice President), and Engr. Dr. J.J. Obosi IV (Paramount Ruler of Oruk Anam), said the issue had lingered for too long online and must now be addressed in line with Annang customs.
“The Afe Nkuku Annang hereby gives Barrister Ibanga Akpabio and his wife, Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio, a seven-day ultimatum to appear before the Afe Nkuku Annang for clarification and possible cleansing in accordance with Annang traditional norms and culture. Failure to do so will attract drastic punitive sanctions,” the monarchs stated.
They condemned the “vulgar and unguarded” language used by Mrs. Akpabio and reminded her that as a woman married into Annang land – and into the respected Akpabio family of Essien Udim – she was expected to uphold the values and dignity of her marital home.
“If Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio had any personal or domestic grievances, she should have explored appropriate channels of resolution, including reporting to her family, elders, or relevant law enforcement agencies,” the monarchs said.
“Rather than pursue these lawful and dignified avenues, she chose to resort to social media taunting and blackmail with apparent intent to malign and assassinate the character of the Senate President.”
The royal council also voiced concern that the online posts had dragged both Senator Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno into public ridicule, describing the allegations as “serious defamation.”
The controversy was reignited last week after Patience Akpabio, a pastor and businesswoman married to the Senator Akpabio’s younger brother, shared videos on Facebook accusing the Senate president of betrayal and neglecting his hometown, Ukana Ikot Ntuen. She also vowed to challenge him in the 2027 senatorial election.
Responding through his spokesperson Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio dismissed the claims as “baseless and politically motivated.” Eyiboh urged Patience to report any allegations of murder or violence to the police instead of making social media accusations.
“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,” he said.
He described Akpabio as “a very humble and strong family person,” adding that his sister-in-law was “just doing it for attention.”
“The Senate President is very busy. Those accusations do not exist,” Eyiboh said.
