Why Akpabio’s Wife Visited Senate Chambers — Lawal

Wife of the senate president, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, visited the National Assembly complex to inspect facility-malfunction at the instance of her husband, Senator Godswill Akpabio, a statement signed by the special adviser to the senate president on diaspora and non-governmental organisations, Dr. Jibril Lawal Tafida, has said.

The explanation followed alleged senate chamber access by the senate president’s wife and the subsequent narratives that it was for some unholy reasons.

He said the narratives created after the visit were designed to misinform the public. Lawal pointed out that the visit was purely as a result of complaints by senators about the state of equipment and facilities in the upper chamber.

The statement said, “We wish to state unequivocally that the said report is a product of misinformation, speculative journalism, and a deliberate attempt to create a scandal where none exists.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Her Excellency, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of the senate president, made a brief and harmless visit to the National Assembly complex. The purpose of this visit was purely administrative and domestic in nature—specifically, to personally observe and assess certain malfunctioning equipment and facilities within the chamber.

“This was done at the instance of the senate president, who, having received numerous complaints from distinguished senators and staff regarding the poor state of some facilities and the shoddy execution of certain contractual works, was deeply disturbed and concerned.

“As a devoted and supportive wife, Mrs. Akpabio offered to physically inspect the situation  to provide an informed and accurate report to her husband, the senate president, who is committed to ensuring that the working conditions of lawmakers and staff meet the highest standards.

“We strongly refute the claim that Mrs. Akpabio was accompanied by individuals described as “marabouts” or persons of questionable character. This assertion is entirely false, baseless, and a reckless attempt to sensationalize an innocuous visit. The individuals who accompanied Her Excellency were not spiritualists or dubious characters; rather, they were duly engaged professionals and technical specialists in the areas directly related to the equipment and facilities under inspection.” (NAN)