In this piece Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Our Managing Editor writes that a routine visit to Nigeria’s highest legislative chamber has become the subject of intense controversy, drawing a strong reaction from the Government and people of Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, who have risen in defence of the wife of the Senate President, Dr. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio. The controversy followed Dr. Unoma Akpabio’s visit to the Senate Chamber on September 5, 2026, which the Essien Udim council described as legitimate, properly authorised and connected with the inspection and verification of facilities.
In a communiqué issued at the council headquarters in Afaha Ikot Ebak and signed by its Executive Chairman, Hon. Elder Ntiedo Usoro, the local government accused unnamed individuals and groups of deliberately twisting the circumstances surrounding the visit and turning it into a campaign of insults, blackmail and character assassination.
From a Visit to a Political Controversy
At the centre of the council’s intervention is its insistence that the circumstances of the visit have been distorted.
According to Essien Udim, all necessary security and administrative protocols were observed. The council said Dr. Unoma Akpabio was accompanied by persons responsible for technical services and verification of the facilities being inspected.
The council also stressed that the Senate President was aware of the visit and that the inspection took place when plenary was not in session. For the council, these circumstances make allegations of sinister motives not only unfounded but also unfair to a woman whose public reputation, it argued, should not be subjected to social media trial.
The Danger of Social Media Judgement
Perhaps the strongest message contained in the communiqué is a warning about the growing power of social media to transform unverified allegations into apparently established facts.
Essien Udim expressed particular concern over what it described as the use of artificial intelligence and manipulated or misleading materials to create false impressions about the Senate visit.
The council urged Nigerians to develop the habit of verifying information before accepting or circulating materials online, particularly when such materials concern public figures whose reputations can easily be damaged by viral allegations.
Its argument raises a broader question about the responsibility that comes with digital communication: should every video, photograph, commentary or accusation circulating online be accepted as evidence?
For Essien Udim, the answer is clearly no.
Protecting Institutions and Due Process
The council also drew attention to the institutional character of the National Assembly.
It argued that the Senate is governed by established protocols and protected by accredited personnel and security structures. Therefore, if any genuine violation had occurred, the appropriate authorities within the National Assembly would have the responsibility and institutional capacity to investigate and address it.
This, the council maintained, makes it inappropriate for individuals on social media to assume the roles of investigators, prosecutors and judges without credible evidence.
The position reflects a wider concern over the tendency to settle serious public allegations through social media rather than through established institutional mechanisms.
A Defence of Unoma Akpabio
Beyond the specific circumstances of the Senate visit, Essien Udim’s communiqué was also a strong defence of Dr. Unoma Akpabio’s character.
The council described her as a devout Catholic, God-fearing woman and an embodiment of motherhood, compassion, care and service.
It said her public conduct over the years had remained exemplary and beyond reproach.
The council therefore rejected what it considered derogatory and defamatory descriptions of her, arguing that the campaign had crossed the line from legitimate public scrutiny into personal attacks.
Support for the Senate President
The controversy also has a political dimension because of Dr. Unoma Akpabio’s relationship with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, whom Essien Udim described as its illustrious son.
The council accused those behind the campaign of attempting to create unnecessary distraction and disaffection around the leadership of the National Assembly.
In a show of solidarity, the local government passed a vote of confidence in Senator Akpabio, citing his leadership and efforts toward peace, stability, cooperation and harmony within the National Assembly.
It similarly passed a vote of confidence in Dr. Unoma Akpabio.
A Call for Responsible Public Discourse
The Essien Udim intervention ultimately goes beyond the defence of one individual. It is also a call for restraint in an era when political disagreements can quickly become personal attacks.
The council warned those participating in what it described as campaigns of insult, blackmail and defamation to desist, while urging Nigerians to seek credible facts before sharing damaging allegations.
Its message is particularly significant in a political environment where social media has become an increasingly powerful arena for public debate, political mobilisation and reputation-building—and, sometimes, reputation-destruction.
For Essien Udim, criticism is not the problem. The problem is criticism without evidence, accusations without due process and political disagreement that degenerates into personal vilification.
As the controversy surrounding the Senate visit continues to attract attention, the council’s position is that public institutions should be respected, facts should take precedence over speculation, and the dignity of individuals should not become collateral damage in political battles.
Its final appeal was therefore simple: Nigerians should reject politics of bitterness, blackmail and character assassination and embrace responsible public discourse, mutual respect and peace.
