A’Ibom Monarchs Summon Akpabio’s Sister-in-Law Over Murder Allegations

The apex traditional council of the Annang ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State, Afe Nkuku Annang, has summoned Mrs. Patience Akpabio, sister-in-law to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and her husband, Ibanga Akpabio, to appear before it within seven days over alleged defamatory and inciting social media posts.

In a communiqué issued on Monday after a meeting at the Ati Annang Secretariat in Ikot Ekpene, the monarchs expressed concern over what they described as “malicious and unguarded” online statements credited to Mrs. Akpabio, accusing the Senate President of being responsible for killings in Akwa Ibom State during his tenure as governor. In one of the Facebook posts cited, she allegedly wrote: “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, signed by HRM Obong Cosmas Okon Akpan, Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim and President of the council; Akuku (Prof.) Amanam Akpanudo Udo, Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo and Vice President; and Engr. (Dr.) J.J. Obosi IV (JP), Paramount Ruler of Oruk Anam, stated that the issue had lingered too long online and must now be addressed through Annang traditional processes. The body directed the couple to appear for clarification and “possible cleansing” in line with Annang customs, warning that failure to do so would attract “drastic punitive sanctions.”

The monarchs condemned what they termed Mrs. Akpabio’s “vulgar and unguarded” language, noting that as a woman married into Annang land—specifically the Akpabio family of Essien Udim—she was expected to uphold the dignity and moral values of her community.

They advised that if she had any grievances, she should have pursued lawful means of resolution through her family, community elders, or law enforcement, instead of resorting to “social media taunting and blackmail.”

The traditional rulers further expressed concern that the posts had brought both the Senate President and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, into public ridicule. “The Afe Nkuku Annang views these malicious posts as serious defamation against the person and reputation of both Senator Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno,” the communiqué stated, adding that the forum exonerates both leaders from what it described as “baseless and unfounded accusations.”

Efforts to reach Mrs. Akpabio and her husband for comments were unsuccessful, as their mobile lines were unavailable at the time of filing this report.