A socio-professional group, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals, IK-PRO, has condemned media reports and social media commentary surrounding the visit of the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, to the National Assembly.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its President, Mr. Edidiong John, Secretary General, Barr. Kemfon Neke, and Director General, Barr. Sekenim Asuka, IK-PRO described the coverage as sensational and troubling.
The group said it was concerned about the description of persons seen with Mrs Akpabio at the Senate Chambers as “spiritualists,” arguing that there was nothing unusual about the Senate President’s wife visiting her husband at his place of work.
IK-PRO noted that the National Assembly is a public institution and that Mrs Akpabio’s presence there does not constitute a matter of public interest or wrongdoing.
The group further defended the character of the Senate President’s wife, describing her as a devout Catholic known for charity and humanitarian work across Akwa Ibom State.
It said Mrs Akpabio has earned the nickname “Mother Teresa of Akwa Ibom” due to her longstanding commitment to caring for the poor and vulnerable, a reputation it said was built over years and not manufactured by IK-PRO.
The professional body questioned the basis for labeling those around her as “spiritualists,” asking what evidence journalists relied on and what criteria were used to identify them as such.
The body cautioned the media against turning ordinary events involving the Senate President’s family into sensational narratives aimed at creating suspicion and public hostility. It said the persistent attacks on Senator Godswill Akpabio and his family had gone beyond legitimate political scrutiny.
The group warned that while political disagreement and scrutiny are expected in a democracy, they should not degenerate into harassment, character assassination, or cyberbullying of family members who hold no public office.
It reminded those behind the online attacks that Nigeria’s laws provide remedies against defamation, cyberbullying and digital harassment, and said it would explore lawful avenues to protect the dignity of the Senate President and his family.
IK-PRO urged the media, political actors and the public to exercise restraint and allow Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio to go about her legitimate affairs without being subjected to manufactured controversy, stressing that Akwa Ibom people know her for her faith, compassion and service to humanity.
The group also noted that with the country entering another politically charged season, public officials and their families should be prepared for scrutiny, but that scrutiny must remain within the bounds of decency and facts.
IK-PRO further called on media organizations to uphold the ethics of journalism by verifying information before publication and avoiding headlines designed to provoke outrage rather than inform the public.
It stressed that the Senate President has constitutional duties to focus on at the National Assembly, and that distractions caused by attacks on his family could undermine legislative work and governance.
The statement concluded by reaffirming IK-PRO’s support for Senator Akpabio’s leadership and its commitment to defending the reputation of Akwa Ibom indigenes in public office against what it described as targeted smear campaigns.
