Senate reacts to claims linking South-South Commission MD to Akpabio

The Nigerian Senate has firmly denied viral reports alleging that the newly appointed Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission, Mrs. Usoro Akpabio, is the daughter of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The clarification came from Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday.

President Bola Tinubu had recently forwarded a letter to the Senate nominating Mrs. Akpabio as Managing Director of the new commission. The same correspondence also named former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, as Chairman of the Commission and requested the Senate’s confirmation of 16 additional board members.

The letter was read during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by Senator Akpabio, triggering widespread speculation across social media that the appointee is the Senate President’s first daughter.

Senator Adaramodu, however, categorically dismissed the rumours, describing them as “baseless” and “misleading.”

“There is no iota of truth in that report,” Adaramodu said. “It’s like hearing someone named Adaramodu in Osun or Ondo and assuming he’s my brother. Things don’t work that way.”

He explained that despite both individuals bearing the same surname and hailing from Akwa Ibom State, there is no family connection between Godswill Akpabio and Usoro Akpabio.

“The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is entirely different from Usoro Akpabio, the MD of the South-South Development Commission. Culturally, people may have similar names, but that doesn’t mean they are related,” he clarified.

Adaramodu further emphasized that the appointment was made solely on merit by President Tinubu and had nothing to do with personal ties.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean a qualified member of the Senate President’s family couldn’t be appointed. But in this particular case, there is no relationship whatsoever,” he added.

(With additional information from Punch Newspapers)