Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed murder and betrayal claims made against him by his sister-in-law, Pastor Pat Akpabio, describing the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated. Through his spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio urged Pat to report her claims to the appropriate security agencies instead of airing them 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 report it to the authorities,” Eyiboh said, as quoted by PREMIUM TIMES. He added, “The issue of murder is not something to use for a political vendetta. The law is very clear: whoever asserts must prove.” Eyiboh also defended Akpabio’s character, describing him as “a very humble and strong family person,” and suggested that Pat’s allegations were motivated by a desire for attention. “She is just doing it for attention. Who is going to give her that attention? The Senate president is very busy,” Eyiboh said, adding that the accusations would not tarnish Akpabio’s reputation. Pat, 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 during his tenure as governor. She also criticized him for neglecting his hometown, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, which she said has been without electricity for weeks. In addition, Pat claimed Akpabio accused her husband of wrongdoing during his failed 2019 senatorial bid and accused him of betraying several political allies, including Umana Okon Umana, Nsima Ekere, Akan Udofia, and Bassey Albert. She further vowed to challenge him in the 2027 senatorial election, issuing what she called a “quit notice”: “When you finish, go home. Take care of yourself.” Pat also warned President Bola Tinubu to exercise caution in his dealings with Akpabio and threatened to release more damaging information, stating, “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.” Before entering politics, Akpabio worked as a teacher, later as a lawyer at Paul Usoro & Co., and also served as managing director and CEO of EMIS Telecoms Limited.
