The attention of the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and his wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio, has been drawn to a report circulating in the media alleging that Mrs Akpabio caused a security breach at the airport during the visit of the then First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, to Akwa Ibom State on Friday, December 14, 2018.
In a statement issued by Senator Akpabio’s Special Assistant on Media, Anietie Ekong, the allegation was described as incorrect and an attempt to cast Mrs Akpabio in a negative light.
Ekong questioned the similarity in the reports published by different media organisations, alleging that they appeared to have originated from the same source.
He said the reports did not accurately reflect what transpired at the airport and maintained that Mrs Akpabio did not cause any security breach during the First Lady’s arrival.
According to him, video footage of the airport reception was available and had been circulated online, adding that the footage did not show Senator Akpabio or his wife at the location in the manner suggested by the reports.
Ekong also disputed claims that Mrs Akpabio attempted to prevent the wife of the state governor, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, from receiving Mrs Buhari.
He said Mrs Akpabio, having served as First Lady of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 and 2015, was familiar with the protocol surrounding official visits involving senior government officials.
“Mrs Akpabio, having been the First Lady in Akwa Ibom State for eight years, clearly understands the protocol that goes with such an event,” Ekong said.
He added that she respected constituted authority and had no reason to interfere with the official reception of the visiting First Lady.
On the reported disagreement at the airport, Ekong attributed the situation to what he described as an argument between security personnel attached to the Akwa Ibom State Government House and protocol and security officers from the State House in Abuja.
According to him, there had been concerns over the presence of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the airport to welcome Mrs Buhari.
He maintained, however, that the situation did not result in Mrs Emmanuel being prevented from receiving the First Lady.
Ekong further suggested that the disagreement may have been connected to Mrs Buhari’s itinerary, particularly the reported decision by State House protocol officials not to include a visit to the Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo.
He said preparations had reportedly been made at the Government House for the visit, including the installation of red carpets for the expected reception.
The media aide alleged that, following the disagreement over the itinerary, Mrs Akpabio became the subject of reports accusing her of causing a security breach.
He consequently urged those circulating the allegation to stop linking Mrs Akpabio to the incident, insisting that she played no role in creating any security breach during the First Lady’s visit.
The statement was signed by Anietie Ekong, Special Assistant (Media) to Senator Godswill Akpabio.
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