Dare Babalola
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his claim that President Bola Tinubu would secure the highest votes in the South-South from Akwa Ibom during the next election.
Effiong, reacting in a post on X on Tuesday, said Akpabio’s remarks were inappropriate and insulting to the people of the state, accusing the Senate President of placing personal political interests above the welfare of citizens.
“Because you believe that Akwa Ibom people are not sensible, right?” Effiong wrote.
He further alleged that Akpabio’s support for the current administration was driven by personal benefit, saying, “Because you’re part of this corrupt and incompetent regime, and you are a major beneficiary, therefore the entire State has to vote for the same regime that has destroyed and ruined Nigeria to protect your interest.”
The lawyer cautioned the Senate President against making divisive comments, stating, “Senator Akpabio should not be making inflammatory and reckless statements like this.”
Effiong also argued that many residents of Akwa Ibom were facing the same economic hardship affecting other parts of the country and questioned what tangible gains the state had recorded since Akpabio became Senate President.
“Since Akpabio became the Senate President, what are the benefits that has come to Akwa Ibom as a State?” he asked.
He also questioned whether citizens were satisfied with Akpabio’s leadership of the National Assembly, asking, “Are Akwa Ibom people proud of the way Akpabio has led the Nigerian Senate?”
Effiong said Akpabio’s statement indirectly portrayed voters in the state as uninformed or subservient, insisting that ethnic loyalty should not override national interest.
“This idea that Nigeria can burn to ashes, as long as ‘my brother’ or someone from my ethnicity or State is part of those destroying the country or benefiting from the rotten system is not only dangerous, but destructive and evil,” he added.
