Kinsmen of Senate President Godswill Akpabio have threatened legal action against individuals and groups they accused of attacking his wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, over her recent visit to the National Assembly chamber.
The controversy followed reports that the Senate President’s wife visited the chamber over the weekend accompanied by individuals described in some reports as marabouts and spiritualists.
The reports have generated public debate, with some Nigerians questioning the purpose of the visit and why it was conducted on a weekend.
However, the Senate President’s Special Adviser on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Jibril Lawal Tafida, said the visit was purely administrative and undertaken with the knowledge and authorisation of the relevant officials.
Reacting to the controversy, the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals (IK-PRO) described the reports and subsequent online reactions as politically motivated attempts to malign the Akpabio family.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Edidiong John; Secretary General, Kemfon Neke; and Director General, Sekenim Asuka, and made available to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday, the group questioned why the presence of the Senate President’s wife in the National Assembly chamber had generated widespread public attention.
The group also challenged the description of some of the people who accompanied her as spiritualists, asking what physical characteristics or other evidence were being relied upon to make such an identification.
“The IK-PRO cautions sections of the media against turning ordinary events involving members of the Senate President’s family into sensational narratives designed to create suspicion, ridicule or public hostility,” the statement said.
The professionals argued that while public officials should be subjected to legitimate scrutiny, their family members should not be targeted as part of political disagreements.
“We recognise that Nigeria is entering another politically charged season and that political actors, journalists and commentators will naturally scrutinise public officials. That scrutiny is legitimate and necessary in a democracy.
“However, political contest must not become a licence for harassment, character assassination, cyberbullying or the weaponisation of innocent family members who hold no public office.
The group further warned that it could pursue legal remedies if what it described as online attacks crossed the boundaries of lawful criticism.
“We also remind those behind the continuing online attacks that Nigeria’s legal framework provides remedies against cyberbullying, harassment, defamation and other unlawful forms of digital abuse. IK-PRO will not hesitate to explore all lawful avenues available to protect the dignity and legitimate interests of the Senate President, his family and the office he occupies where these attacks cross the boundaries of lawful criticism.
“We therefore call on political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint and allow Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio to go about her legitimate affairs without being subjected to manufactured controversy.”
The group maintained that the controversy should not be allowed to distract from the Senate President’s public responsibilities or become a vehicle for attacking members of his family.
Akpabio’s Kinsmen Warn Critics Over Controversy Surrounding Wife’s National Assembly Visit
The Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals (IK-PRO) has condemned the controversy surrounding a recent visit by the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, to the National Assembly chamber, warning that it may resort to legal action over what it described as defamatory attacks.
Reports that Mrs Akpabio visited the chamber over the weekend with individuals allegedly described as marabouts and spiritualists have sparked reactions on social media and prompted questions about the purpose of the visit.
But Jibril Lawal Tafida, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, said the visit was administrative and took place with the approval and knowledge of the appropriate authorities.
In its reaction, IK-PRO said it was concerned that an otherwise ordinary visit by a member of the Senate President’s family had been turned into a subject of national controversy.
The group, in a statement signed by its President, Edidiong John; Secretary General, Kemfon Neke; and Director General, Sekenim Asuka, also questioned the basis for labelling those seen with Mrs Akpabio as spiritualists.
“The IK-PRO cautions sections of the media against turning ordinary events involving members of the Senate President’s family into sensational narratives designed to create suspicion, ridicule or public hostility,” the statement said.
The group described the controversy as politically motivated, while acknowledging that scrutiny of public officials was an essential part of democratic governance.
“We recognise that Nigeria is entering another politically charged season and that political actors, journalists and commentators will naturally scrutinise public officials. That scrutiny is legitimate and necessary in a democracy.
“However, political contest must not become a licence for harassment, character assassination, cyberbullying or the weaponisation of innocent family members who hold no public office.
IK-PRO said it was prepared to pursue available legal remedies against what it considered unlawful online attacks, including harassment and defamation.
“We also remind those behind the continuing online attacks that Nigeria’s legal framework provides remedies against cyberbullying, harassment, defamation and other unlawful forms of digital abuse. IK-PRO will not hesitate to explore all lawful avenues available to protect the dignity and legitimate interests of the Senate President, his family and the office he occupies where these attacks cross the boundaries of lawful criticism.
The group consequently appealed to political actors and their supporters to avoid escalating the controversy and allow the Senate President’s wife to conduct her legitimate affairs without being subjected to what it described as manufactured controversy.
“We therefore call on political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint and allow Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio to go about her legitimate affairs without being subjected to manufactured controversy.”
