Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, is facing corruption allegations, many of which date back to his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom (2007–2015) and his time as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. He is currently the Senate President of Nigeria. Despite 24 documented accusations provided by Knowdemwell on X, ranging from financial mismanagement to alleged human rights abuses, he has never been convicted.
Akpabio has been accused of looting billions of naira, illegally withdrawing state funds, and mismanaging key public projects. During his tenure as Governor, he allegedly siphoned public funds into private ventures, including the controversial Four Points by Sheraton hotel project, which lacked a proper franchise agreement. Investigators also claim he played a key role in inflating national budgets to funnel money into personal and political interests.
Beyond financial misconduct, Akpabio’s tenure has been marred by political intimidation and electoral malpractice accusations. He allegedly confessed to rigging a 2007 senatorial election and was linked to threats against House of Representatives members to secure their support for President Tinubu’s preferred Speaker. Reports further allege that he operated a private militia responsible for violence against opponents, journalists, and critics while he was Governor of Akwa Ibom. His administration also reportedly shut down a technical college, diverting funds for rehabilitation.
In August 2023, during severe economic hardship, Akpabio allegedly approved ₦2 million in public funds as a “recess allowance” for each of the 109 Senators in the National Assembly. He was also named one of the four presiding officers who benefited from the ₦10 billion furniture and rent allocation in the 2024 supplementary budget.
One of the most damning allegations against Akpabio is his reported connection to a human trafficking ring in Akwa Ibom, allegedly responsible for kidnapping, rape, and the murder of a 26-year-old job seeker, Iniubong Umoren. His name has also surfaced in accusations of mismanaging funds for the ₦74 billion Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road project, which remains abandoned despite significant budget allocations.
Despite these numerous allegations, Akpabio has never faced conviction, raising concerns about accountability in Nigeria. Critics argue that his continued leadership as Senate President undermines the credibility of the National Assembly.
With a performance rating of 16%, Akpabio’s tenure continues to spark debate over governance and integrity in Nigeria’s highest legislative body.
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