Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has cautioned youths in the state against attacking or making unfounded allegations against the family of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
This was as he urged them to show respect for leaders and
embrace peaceful conflict resolution.
The governor gave the warning after a peaceful protest on
Tuesday by members of the Akwa Ibom Youth Coalition at the Government House,
Uyo, over issues raised by a female member of the Greater Akpabio family.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,
Ekerete Udoh, on Thursday, the protesters had presented a letter outlining
their concerns, which was received by the Head of Service, Effiong Essien, on
behalf of Governor Eno.
Governor Eno, while acknowledging the right of citizens to
express their opinions, warned that family disputes should remain private and
not be escalated into public controversies capable of tarnishing the image of
respected leaders.
“We don’t dabble into family matters whose resolutions
reside purely within the realms of privacy and family level.
“However, we appeal to our younger generation not to destroy
the leaders God has raised for us at all levels by besmirching their character
or making unfounded allegations against them,” he said.
The governor’s mouthpiece stressed the importance of
civility, unity, and respect for leaders irrespective of political affiliation,
noting that such virtues reflect Akwa Ibom’s enduring values.
“Our leaders across party lines are our enduring assets, and
we must not engage in tendencies that may diminish their standing in society,”
he added.
He further maintained that the office and person of the
Senate President bring immense pride to the people of Akwa Ibom and should be
accorded the highest level of respect.
While calling for restraint, the governor urged youths to
explore dialogue and peaceful means in resolving grievances, maintaining that
mutual respect and peace remain the bedrock of the state’s progress and
development.
The protest and Governor Eno’s intervention come on the back
of a murder allegation against Akpabio by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Patience
Akpabio.
Afe Nkuku Annang, the apex body of traditional rulers in
Annang land, Akwa Ibom State, summoned the sister-in-law and her husband,
Ibanga Akpabio, to appear before it within seven days over alleged defamatory
and inciting social media posts against the Senate President.
According to a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting
on Monday, the monarchs expressed deep concern over what they described as
“malicious and unguarded” statements allegedly made by Mrs. Akpabio, accusing
the Senate President of being linked to multiple killings in Akwa Ibom State
during his tenure as governor.
“The Afe Nkuku Annang hereby gives Barrister Ibanga Akpabio
and his wife, Mrs. Patience Ibanga Akpabio, a seven-day ultimatum to appear
before the Afe Nkuku Annang for clarification and possible cleansing in
accordance with Annang traditional norms and culture. Failure to do so will
attract drastic punitive sanctions,” the monarchs stated.
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