Media Aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kenny Okolugbo, has criticised PDP Chieftain, Dr Adetokunbo Pierce over what he described as “irresponsible and misleading statements” made during a recent television interview.
Pearse had stirred controversy during an interview with newsmen when he criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that he had corruption cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stemming from his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom.
During the programme, Pearse questioned the integrity of the National Assembly under Akpabio’s leadership, claiming it had become a “rubber-stamp” institution which was not safe for female senators.
However, speaking with newsmen on Saturday, Okolugbo said Pierce’s comments alleging that the Senate President had cases with the EFCC and suggesting that female senators were unsafe under his leadership were “completely unfounded and reckless.”
Okolugbo explained that after the interview, he contacted the EFCC, which confirmed that there was “no current or previous investigation” against the Senate President. He added that it was wrong for Pierce to speak “as if he were a staff member of the EFCC.”
He also faulted Pierce’s claim that Akpabio did not contest for the Senate, saying the issue had been settled by the Supreme Court.
According to him, Akpabio won the All Progressives Congress senatorial rerun primary held on 10 June 2022, after securing 478 votes.
The Senate President’s aide also dismissed suggestions that women in the 10th National Assembly were marginalised or unsafe under Akpabio’s leadership.
Okolugbo disclosed that the Senate President’s lawyers had issued a letter to Pierce demanding a retraction and a public apology within three days.
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