The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom has responded to allegations from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was responsible for the petition and media coverage of fraud and money laundering allegations against former governor Udom Emmanuel.

Udom Emmanuel was recently questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over accusations of money laundering, fund diversion, and theft. The investigation was triggered by a petition from the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT).

Following this, the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, accused Akpabio of being behind the probe to tarnish Emmanuel’s reputation. The party claimed it was a political move aimed at discrediting the PDP.

However, the Director-General of the APC Media Network, Otuekong Iniobong John, dismissed the claims. He argued that Akpabio is focused on his duties as Senate President and has no involvement in spreading news about Emmanuel’s EFCC invitation.

John emphasized that the EFCC’s primary role is to investigate financial crimes, and Emmanuel’s case should not be seen as a political attack. He challenged the PDP to confirm whether Emmanuel was indeed invited by the EFCC before blaming others for spreading the news.

He also questioned whether Akpabio was being blamed for similar EFCC investigations involving other former governors like Yahaya Bello and Ifeanyi Okowa. He criticized the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, calling his accusations baseless.

Furthermore, John warned against giving an ethnic twist to Emmanuel’s situation. He pointed out that a PDP elder in the state, Chief Ndueso Essien, had already stated that Akpabio had nothing to do with the petition.

The APC Media Network condemned what it described as the PDP’s attempt to mislead the public and damage Akpabio’s reputation. It urged people to ignore what it called political propaganda and hold the PDP accountable for its claims.