An Akwa Ibom elder and former lawmaker, Chief Nse Ntuen, has dismissed what he described as a smear campaign against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, calling recent allegations linking him to acts of violence “reckless falsehood, borne out of malice.”
In a statement issued in Uyo, Ntuen — a former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and ex-Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area — said he had known Akpabio for more than 50 years and could vouch for his character, integrity and commitment to public service.
He condemned allegations circulated by Akpabio’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio, describing them as “baseless, malicious, and inconsistent with both the character and public record of Senator Godswill Akpabio.”
“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,” Ntuen said.
The elder statesman, who currently serves as Honorary Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said such smear campaigns demean public discourse and offend the values of decency and integrity upheld by the people of Akwa Ibom.
He aligned himself with the earlier position of the Greater Akpabio Family, which had dismissed the claims and reaffirmed its confidence in the Senate President. Ntuen said the family’s statement should be deemed “final and authoritative on the matter.”
Calling for public focus on governance rather than distractions, Ntuen stressed:
“At a time when the Senate President is fully engaged with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in developing legislative frameworks for economic recovery, it is disappointing that anyone would choose to distract public attention with malicious fiction.”
He commended Akpabio’s “dignified silence” in the face of the allegations, saying it reflected political maturity and emotional intelligence.
“Leadership is not theatre; it is service. The Senate President has shown that the surest response to malice is progress,” he added.
Ntuen urged Nigerians, especially public figures, to refrain from inflammatory commentary capable of fueling division and undermining the country’s democracy.
“When we reduce serious national conversations to gossip and innuendo, we weaken the very fabric of democracy. What Nigeria needs today are builders, not rumour peddlers.”
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Reaffirming his loyalty to Governor Umo Eno’s agenda of peace and development, Ntuen appealed to Akwa Ibom people to remain united and resist attempts to sow discord.
“We stand with our leader, our brother, and our pride,” he concluded. “Those who traffic in falsehood will find that truth is patient but enduring.”
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