Ukorebi Esien | August 26, 2026
ABUJA — The member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpanke, has broken his silence on a viral video and other allegations circulating against him, insisting that his decision not to respond to his critics should not be interpreted as weakness.
Akpanke, in a statement titled “My Long Silence Is Not Foolishness,” said some of the issues currently being circulated on social media had already been resolved, while describing the controversies as part of what he called repeated attempts to smear his image and undermine his political career.
He said anyone who believed they had been defrauded should approach the appropriate government agencies, promising to make himself available for investigation.
Below is the full statement:
MY LONG SILENCE IS NOT FOOLISHNESS
When I was elected into the House of Representatives about three years ago, I accepted the responsibility wholeheartedly as an act of fate and as a golden opportunity to serve my good people and contribute my quota to the development and advancement of OBO Federal Constituency.
Since I assumed office, this commitment to serve has been the mantra that has constituted the guiding spirit to which I have been tenaciously glued, and has been the basis for the modest strides we have witnessed amidst daunting challenges.
Over time, it has become a trend, and an ugly one indeed, that in spite of my resolve not to join issues with anybody in the course of the execution of my mandate, some people have arrogated to themselves the unethical position to castigate me, sometimes directly and in most cases through sponsorship of unprovoked attacks from their cronies, to smear my image and discredit me in the eyes of my constituents.
Even when I took the wise decision to join the ruling party, the social media was agog with sponsored despicable publications all targeted at running me down.
Today, it is in the public domain that recently, the PDP candidate for the House of Representatives position in my Constituency, granted an ill-conceived interview, in which, in addition to delving into attacks on my private life, he declared that there is no project to show for the three years I have so far represented OBO Federal Constituency.
As an elder brother whom I respect, I sincerely sympathize with his unconsciousness.
In all the above provocations, it is incontrovertible that I have deliberately maintained rare calmness, bearing in mind that nobody's personal opinion can be representative of the entire perception of my entire constituents.
I have also been wisely guided by the dictum that whoever is worthy of respect by me deserves to be respected even when the person opts for self-disrespect.
I make bold to declare that my modest strides and accomplishments are in the public domain for the larger public to perceive and assess.
Be that as it may, for some days, a video has been trending on social media concerning a purported transaction with one of my former staff, for which I had long intervened and settled.
The same content creator had published another video about a month ago with false, incoherent claims about another transaction, claiming that an assault was orchestrated by me.
I know that some people have already rashly capitalized on the lopsided trending video to ventilate their emotions and rain aspersions on me.
I bear them no grudge as they are entitled to their actions and they also have a duty to fulfill the desires of their paymasters.
For my teeming supporters who have refused to be swayed or distracted by all the distractions, I deeply appreciate your confidence in me, with a strong pledge that I shall not disappoint you.
I charge you all to remain glued to our vision and resist all provocations. Even if you have to respond to the fabrications, it should please be done with maximum civility to teach our detractors that though we are younger, we are wiser.
To the generality of OBO constituents, I hereby reassure you that I am still glued to the goal of achieving the best possible for us, no matter for how many times our detractors continue to change the narratives to suit their purpose.
Some people have even become more desperate about stalling my reelection than about the attainment of their own desires.
The good thing is that nobody is God and nobody can become God.
Every politician must also not forget that his life is in the public domain. The fact that some people have opted to maintain table manners is no weakness.
Some of the issues currently touted on social media are issues that have already been resolved.
None of my transactions with the people in question was done on social media. However, as a law-abiding citizen, if there is anybody who feels defrauded by me, such a person is hereby requested to approach the relevant agencies of government, and I shall make myself available for investigation.
To God be the glory.
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