Ime Akpan
The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Chairmen in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has passed a vote of confidence in the senate president, Mr Godswill Akpabio, following what it described as a series of unjustified social media attacks against him and his family.
The Forum, in a communiqué issued at the end of its plenary held in Afaha Ikot Ebak, condemned the recent outbursts on the social media by Mrs Patience Akpabio, which it said were aimed at tarnishing the image of the senate president and his wife, Ekaette Unoma.
The communiqué was signed by Itoro George Jumbo, APC chairman, Afaha Ward; Joseph Isonguyo, Ukana East; Mmenyene Affangideh, Ukana West 2; Ezekiel Usoro, Adiasim; Innocent Obot, Ikpe Annang; Udeme Edeghe, Odoro Ikot 2; Sunday Umoh, Odoro Ikot 1; Nnamso Bassey, Ekpenyong 1; Aniekan Umanah, Ekpeyong 2; Solomon Udo, Okon; and Ime Udeme, Ukana West 1.
The Forum described the allegations as “false, malicious and deeply reprehensible” adding that the attempt to use the senate president’s name for social media sensationalism “is irresponsible and unbecoming, especially coming from someone who had previously benefited from Akpabio’s goodwill.”
“The willful resort to social media vituperations to malign the Senate President is not only a breach of decorum but also a desecration of our collective values and traditions. By such an act, Mrs. Patience Akpabio has, figuratively speaking, murdered sleep and violated the sanctity of the respect our culture accords to leadership,” the chairmen said.
The Forum commended the leadership of Afe Nkuku Annang for summoning Patience and her husband before the Council of Royal Fathers in Annangland to explain their conduct, urging the traditional institution to act decisively in line with age-long cultural precepts to preserve the dignity of Annang traditions. It further called on the office of the senate president to properly document all defamatory publications—whether in print, electronic, or social media—and to take appropriate legal action against those responsible.
The ward chairmen also expressed appreciation to citizens and organisations that have shown solidarity with the senate president, particularly commending the leadership of Afe Nkuku Annang, Ati Annang, the Akpabio family, and other well-meaning individuals who have stood by him in this period.
While aligning with what it termed “the popular sentiment among Akwa Ibom people,” the Forum decried what it described as Patience’s and her family’s “emerging entitlement mentality” insisting that the senate president cannot continue to shoulder their personal responsibilities indefinitely.
“It is not in our noble tradition for a child to be spoon-fed from infancy to adulthood. The time has come for Patience Akpabio and her husband to take responsibility for their own lives and desist from dependency and self-deception,” the chairmen declared.
The Forum cautioned against any further attempts to malign or defame the person or office of the senate president, warning that such actions would henceforth attract lawful consequences.
The Forum, therefore, unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio, saying “he is a visionary leader and a worthy son of Essien Udim whose service to the nation continues to inspire pride among his people.”
