Kinsmen of Senate President Godswill Akpabio have threatened legal action against what they described as sustained attacks and sensational media reports targeting his wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, over her recent visit to the National Assembly chamber.
The group, operating under the aegis of the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals (IK-PRO), issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The statement was jointly signed by the group’s President, Edidiong John; Secretary General, Kemfon Neke; and Director General, Sekenim Asuka.
Controversy erupted after reports claimed that Mrs Akpabio visited the Senate chamber on a weekend accompanied by individuals described as “marabouts” and spiritualists. The narratives suggested the visit had ulterior or “unholy” motives and sparked widespread discussion online and in sections of the media.
IK-PRO described the reports as an attempt to malign the Senate President’s family and create unnecessary public hostility. The group questioned the basis for labelling the companions as spiritualists, asking: “How exactly does a spiritualist look? What evidence was relied upon in reaching such a conclusion?”
“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.
It added that the group “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.”
The kinsmen called on political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint and allow Mrs Akpabio “to go about her legitimate affairs without being subjected to manufactured controversy.”
Earlier, the Office of the Senate President had clarified the circumstances of the visit. Special Adviser on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Dr Jibril Lawal Tafida, stated that Mrs Akpabio’s presence at the National Assembly complex was purely administrative.
She inspected malfunctioning equipment and facilities in the Senate chamber at the instance of the Senate President, who had received complaints from senators and staff about the poor state of some facilities and the quality of contractual works.
Tafida emphasised that the visit took place on a Saturday deliberately to avoid disrupting legislative activities. He rejected claims that she was accompanied by marabouts, explaining that those present were professional engineers, ICT and audio-visual technicians, and building maintenance experts. Relevant officials were aware of the visit, and no security protocols were breached.
Mrs Akpabio, a devout Catholic widely known for her charity work in Akwa Ibom State, has not issued a personal statement on the matter. The development has drawn attention to the intersection of family privacy, media scrutiny, and the high-profile position of the Senate President.
As of Thursday, no formal lawsuit had been filed, but the IK-PRO statement made clear that the group is prepared to pursue legal remedies if the attacks persist.
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