Kinsmen threaten legal action over Unoma Akpabio’s visit to National Assembly complex

Kinsmen of Senator Godswill Akpabio are threatening legal action over what they described as attacks on wife of the Senate President, Mrs Unoma Godswill Akpabio, over her visit to the National Assembly chamber.

Controversy is trailing Mrs Akpabio’s visit to the National Assembly following reports that she visited the chamber with people described as marabouts and spiritualists.

The development has continued to raise eyebrows, with many Nigerians questioning the motive behind the visit which took place on a weekend.

The Senate President’s Special Adviser on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Jibril Lawal Tafida, had said the visit was strictly administrative and carried out with the knowledge and authorisation of relevant officials.

However, Akpabio’s kinsmen, under the aegis of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals, IK-PRO, in a statement jointly signed by the President, Edidiong John, Secretary General, Kemfon Neke and the Director General, Sekenim Asuka, and made available to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday, wondered why the mere presence of the wife of the Senate President at the Senate Chambers should generate national interest.

They queried the physical features that would make one to be described as a spiritualist, noting that such description was an attempt to malign the family.

“The IK-PRO cautions sections of the media against turning ordinary events involving members of the Senate President’s family into sensational narratives designed to create suspicion, ridicule or public hostility,” the statement said. 

The kinsmen described the reports as politically motivated.

The statement added, “We recognise that Nigeria is entering another politically charged season and that political actors, journalists and commentators will naturally scrutinise public officials. That scrutiny is legitimate and necessary in a democracy. 

“However, political contest must not become a licence for harassment, character assassination, cyberbullying or the weaponisation of innocent family members who hold no public office.

“We also remind those behind the continuing online attacks that Nigeria’s legal framework provides remedies against cyberbullying, harassment, defamation and other unlawful forms of digital abuse. IK-PRO will not hesitate to explore all lawful avenues available to protect the dignity and legitimate interests of the Senate President, his family and the office he occupies where these attacks cross the boundaries of lawful criticism.

“We therefore call on political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint and allow Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio to go about her legitimate affairs without being subjected to manufactured controversy.”