The media aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kenny Okolugbo, has strongly condemned recent comments made by PDP chieftain Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, describing them as misleading and irresponsible. Pearse had caused a stir during a television interview on ARISE TV on October 4, where he accused Akpabio of being linked to corruption investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dating back to his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State.
In the same interview, Pearse questioned the credibility of the National Assembly under Akpabio’s leadership, alleging that it functions as a mere “rubber stamp” and implied that female senators were not safe in the chamber.
Responding on ARISE TV, Okolugbo rejected these allegations as baseless and reckless, stressing there is no evidence linking Akpabio to any EFCC investigations, a fact confirmed after Okolugbo reached out to the anti-corruption agency. Okolugbo further challenged Pearse’s assertion that Akpabio did not contest for a Senate seat, highlighting that the Supreme Court upheld Akpabio’s victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary rerun held in June 2022.
According to Okolugbo, the court ruled in favor of the APC’s candidate, clearing the path for Akpabio’s candidacy.He also dismissed claims that women are marginalized or unsafe in the Senate under Akpabio’s direction. Okolugbo revealed that legal action has been taken against Pearse, with a demand for him to issue a retraction and public apology within three days across major Nigerian media platforms. Failure to comply may result in further legal consequences, as Okolugbo warned that such defamatory attacks on Akpabio will no longer be tolerated.
