The family of Senate President Godswill Akpabio has wielded its big stick on Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio, excommunicating her.
Mrs Akpabio was accused of engaging in “satanic behaviours” by her comments on Senator Akpabio.
Rising from a meeting on Monday, in Ukana Ikot Ntuen in Essien Udim Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, the Akpabio Family said it took the decision to excommunicate her following what it described as her “satanic conduct, disparaging comments and unwholesome remarks” against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, his wife, Dr (Mrs) Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, and other members of the family.
The decision was announced during a press briefing held on Monday at Afe Akuku Udo Akpabio, the family’s ancestral meeting ground in Ukana.
The session was led by the Family Head, Chief Ekom Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of other senior family members present.
Addressing journalists, Chief Akpabio explained that the family was left with no choice but to take a firm stance after Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio continued to “ridicule the family in public” despite an earlier traditional injunction warning her to desist from making further utterances about the Senate President, his wife, or any member of the Greater Akpabio Family.
He said, “Regrettably and most unfortunately, she has continued in her tirade, thus ignoring the injunction by the family. This in itself has brought the family to public ridicule and shame and is suggestive of a family unable to manage and control its members. This has never happened and should not have happened in the first instance.”
The family expressed disappointment that even after what the Head said were assurances from her husband, Barr. Ibanga Akpabio, that she would refrain from such actions, the woman persisted in what it termed “aspersions and insults” directed at the Senate President, his wife, and the entire Greater Akpabio Family.
According to them, “The Greater Akpabio Family has well-known norms of respect, unity, and age-long channels to address grievances. That these norms and channels were ignored is regrettable. Such acts are destructive and an affront to our collective survival and development, while also being repulsive to family and human dignity.”
Reaffirming its unity and commitment to discipline, the family declared that it would not tolerate any act capable of bringing its name into disrepute or public opprobrium.
“We strongly denounce the unwarranted and repeated attacks on our esteemed son and pride of our family, President of the Senate, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON. We are immensely proud of his exemplary representation of our family and senatorial district, and his remarkable achievements as the President of the Senate,” the family further stressed.
Consequently, the Greater Akpabio Family announced a public disclaimer on Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio, declaring that she “no longer represents nor is recognised as a wife, representative, or member of the family,” and therefore stands excommunicated.
“The family hereby warns all members of the public to desist from any dealings with Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio as a member of our Greater Akpabio Family. It is sad that she has pushed us to this line of action by her untoward and satanic actions.”
However, the family said it remained open to reconciliation if she showed genuine remorse.
“In the event that she has any genuine grievances, apologies or regrets, we request that she report such to the family hierarchy for a review of our position in line with our customs and traditions.”
Prior to this development, Mrs Akpabio had been summoned by the apex body of traditional rulers in Annang land, Akwa Ibom State, the Afe Nkuku Annang. She was served a 7-day notice to appear before the body alongside her husband.
In one of her recent Facebook posts, Patience Akpabio 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.”
Leave a Comment