The purported resignation of the four personal aides to Godswill Akpabio, the immediate past Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West in the National Assembly has been busted as media hype.
On Sunday, social media and some media organisations including Naijanews published the story on a banner headline: Four Personal Aides To Senator Akpabio Resign, listing the aides as Barr. Utibe Nwoko, Senior Legislative Aide; Chief (Barr) Moses Akpan, Kufre Ini-ima and Prince Ukandu Ukpe.
The media further reported that the aides have disassociated themselves from the planned defection of Akpabio to the All Progressives Congress, pledging their support to the re-election of Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2019.
In a telephone interview with Straightnews reporter on Monday, one of the aides who spoke on condition of anonymity denied knowledge of the story.
He said ‘’My Brother, good morning. I am not aware of the story. You know me. I have not entered internet because my telephone ws switched off. How can I resign without sending a copy of the letter to my principal and making copies available to the press?’’
‘’You know I do not like telling my stories to the press. Anyway, I will call you later in the day so that we can talk,’’ he dropped his telephone and he never called again. His telephone set with MTN Number is still switched off till today.
However, our reporter could not reach other aides to confirm or debunk their resignation and membership from PDP.
Straightnews gathered from a reliable source that Akpabio only recommended them for appointment, but that the National Assembly Service Commission issued letters of appointment to them.
‘’They would not have resigned without sending the letters to the commission and copying their principal- Seantor Akpabio. The publication might have been a puff for some people for political buzz,’’ the source added.
