Royal Showdown: Traditional Rulers Call In Senate President’s Brother-In-Law Amid Murder Claims

The supreme council of traditional rulers in Annang land, Akwa Ibom State — Afe Nkuku Annang — has summoned Mrs. Patience Akpabio, sister-in-law to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and her husband, Barrister Ibanga Akpabio, to appear before it within seven days over what it described as inciting and defamatory social media remarks.

In a communiqué issued on Monday after a meeting held at the Ati Annang Secretariat in Ikot Ekpene, the royal council condemned what it called “malicious and reckless” statements allegedly made by Mrs. Akpabio, in which she accused the Senate President of being complicit in killings that occurred in Akwa Ibom during his tenure as governor.

One of her Facebook posts reportedly read: “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 communiqué, jointly signed by HRM Obong Cosmas Okon Akpan (Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim LGA 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 LGA), said the matter had lingered too long in public discourse and must now be handled according to 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 council for clarification and possible cleansing in line with Annang traditional norms. Failure to comply will attract severe traditional sanctions,” the monarchs declared.

The traditional rulers also criticised the “vulgar and disrespectful” language used by Mrs. Akpabio, noting that as a woman married into both the Annang community and the distinguished Akpabio family of Essien Udim, she was expected to uphold moral discipline and cultural decorum.

“If Mrs. Patience Akpabio had any domestic or personal grievances, she should have sought redress through proper family or legal channels, rather than resorting to social media taunts and blackmail intended to tarnish reputations,” the communiqué added.

Expressing concern that her posts had dragged the names of both Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno into disrepute, the monarchs stated:

“The Afe Nkuku Annang considers her statements as serious defamation against the integrity of both Senator Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno. The Forum hereby absolves both leaders of all unfounded and malicious allegations made by Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio.”