Jackson Udom, Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, described a story linking the Minister to bandits as malicious and baseless.
Udom, who said this in a release on Thursday, noted that the Minister wanted the allegation which he describes as weighty to be investigated by relevant security agencies.
The release reads: “The attention of the Hon Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been drawn to a malicious and baseless story of links to bandits, alleging that he has sponsored a group of bandits to eliminate a former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet.
“Senator Akpabio has described the allegation as an attempt to malign his integrity and character by well-known politicians in Akwa Ibom State.
“The Minister wants the allegation which he describes as weighty to be investigated by relevant security agencies.
“The alleged bandits link to the Minister was contained in an online publication by a group; ABAK 5 MOVEMENT and endorsed by one Engr Edet Okon Ekarika, as its Publicity Secretary.
“He described the allegation as preposterous and a figment of the imagination of purveyors and sponsors of falsehood and blackmail against him and therefore wishes not to be distracted but be left alone to carry out the mandate given him by MR PRESIDENT.”
