The Senate has reacted to rumours claiming that Usoro Akpabio, the newly appointed Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission, is the daughter of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The upper legislative chamber denied this on Sunday, describing the reports as false and without basis.
The clarification came after President Bola Tinubu nominated Usoro Akpabio as MD of the newly created commission.
Alongside her, he also named Chibudom Nwuche from Rivers State as Chairman, with 16 others listed as board members.
The nominations were included in a letter read during the Senate’s plenary session last Thursday, which was presided over by the Senate President.
Following the announcement, several reports and online posts began circulating, suggesting that the Senate President influenced the appointment by positioning his daughter in the role.
The Senate has now made it clear that there is no family tie between the two individuals despite sharing the same surname and state of origin.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity explained that the appointment was based on qualifications and not personal connections.
He stressed that the Senate President and the new MD are not related in any way, and assumptions based on names or origins do not mean there is a family link.
“There is no iota of truth in that report.
“It’s just like hearing someone named Adaramodu in Osun or Ondo and assuming he’s my brother. Things don’t work that way.
“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.
“This appointment was based on merit and was made by the President. She is not in any way connected to the former governor of Akwa Ibom.
“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,” Adaramodu stated.
The new commission is expected to have its main office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
