Gladness Gideon
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, renowned entrepreneur and former lawmaker, has strongly refuted allegations made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Atiku, in a recent interview with journalist Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, had accused Akpabio of engaging in corrupt practices during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The Waziri Adamawa went further, labelling Akpabio as a “serial abuser of women,” adding a personal dimension to the allegations.
Reacting to the claims in a statement released on Wednesday evening, Murray-Bruce, who is also the chairman of the Silverbird Group, dismissed the accusations as unfounded and unsubstantiated. He described Akpabio as a man of integrity and urged Nigerians to be wary of politically motivated attacks on key institutions.
“I know Senator Godswill Akpabio personally and intimately. He is a man of unimpeachable good character, and both the South-South and Nigeria are fortunate to have him at the helm of affairs at the National Assembly at this delicate stage in our national growth,” Murray-Bruce stated.
The former senator emphasised that Akpabio had been thoroughly investigated by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and had consistently emerged unblemished. According to him, “On the issue of corruption, here we have a man who has been investigated in and out by independent investigative agencies and friends and foes alike, yet he has come out clean as a whistle.”
Murray-Bruce, who represented Bayelsa East in the Senate, stressed the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s institutions from undue partisan attacks, warning that the country’s fragile democracy requires stability and mature leadership.
“Nigeria needs stability and men of ability, and it behooves us as a nation to tread with caution at this critical time of our national life. Institutions such as the Legislature should not be trifled with because of partisan considerations,” he warned.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Akpabio Has a Habit of Abusing Women, Says Atiku
Declaring his full support for Akpabio, Murray-Bruce pledged to stand firm against any attempts to tarnish the Senate’s image, an institution he once proudly served.
“I will not stand idly by while some persons try, both home and abroad, to destroy an institution I was once proudly a part of. I am a Nigerian who is proud of Nigeria and will give my all to protect and project my country to the world,” he declared.
Reaffirming his loyalty to Akpabio, he added, “I give him my right hand of fellowship and stand firmly with him. Innuendo, hearsay, and dog whistles will always come. But they can never be so powerful that they will take preeminence over facts.”
Murray-Bruce’s defence of Akpabio comes at a time of heightened political tension, as key political figures continue to jostle for influence ahead of the next election cycle.