A prominent Akwa Ibom State elder and Honorary Adviser to Governor Umo Eno, Chief Nse Ntuen, has declared that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio is not a killer, describing the claims circulated by Akpabio’s sister-in-law, Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio, as baseless, malicious, and inconsistent with both the character and public record of the number three citizen.
Ntuen, a former member of the State House of Assembly and somebody who has known Senator Akpabio for over 50 years, therefore advised the public “to disregard such falsehoods, which serve no purpose other than to inflame passions and divert focus from meaningful governance.”
In a statement issued in Uyo, the state capital and made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the former Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area — from which Akpabio hails noted that, “the allegations, which have no basis in fact or common sense, are steeped in personal bitterness and deliberate mischief rather than in any verifiable fact or credible grievance.”
Ntuen stated that such behaviour demeans public discourse and disrespects the values of decency for which Akwa Ibom people are known.
“We must never allow a culture of reckless falsehood to replace dialogue and truth. These claims are not merely offensive; they represent a conscious attempt to erode the dignity of honest leadership and to sow unnecessary discord among a people united by shared history and respect,” he said.
He aligned himself with the recent resolution of the Greater Akpabio Family, which unanimously expressed confidence in the Senate President and reaffirmed the family’s unbroken unity.
Ntuen added that the statement by the family, being the most authoritative voice on domestic matters of this nature, has settled the issue firmly and should be respected as such.
“These spurious attacks are not only affronts to Senator Akpabio’s person but also to the collective reputation of Essien Udim and, by extension, Akwa Ibom State,” he noted.
Ntuen lauded Senator Akpabio’s dignified silence and self-restraint in the face of provocation, describing it as evidence of both personal strength and political maturity.
He observed that in an age where instant reaction often replaces reflection, the Senate President has shown that quiet focus remains the highest form of leadership.
“Leadership is not theatre; it is service. Senator Akpabio’s calm disposition and tireless work at the helm of the 10th Senate have continued to produce tangible results for Nigeria. His commitment to legislative efficiency and intergovernmental harmony demonstrates that the surest response to malice is progress,” he added.
Ntuen, a former Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON chairman in the state also noted that public office carries a sacred responsibility and that those who have been privileged to serve must guard the dignity of governance from reckless commentary.
He urged all citizens, especially those in public life, to be mindful of their words and the example they set for younger generations.
“When we reduce serious national conversations to gossip and innuendo, we weaken the very fabric of democracy.
“What Nigeria needs today are builders and not destroyers; thinkers and not rumour peddlers. Senator Akpabio has chosen to be a builder, and history will vindicate that choice,” he said.
