The Nigerian Senate has dismissed circulating claims that Usoro Akpabio, recently named Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission, is the daughter of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who leads the Senate’s Media and Publicity Committee, addressed the matter in a statement to The PUNCH on Sunday, stating that the assumption is false and unfounded.
The controversy followed President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Mrs. Akpabio for the MD role, alongside Chibudom Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, who was picked to chair the Commission’s board.
The nominations were included in a letter read during Thursday’s Senate session, which was overseen by Senator Akpabio.
Rumors quickly emerged online suggesting a familial relationship between the Senate President and the nominee due to their shared surname.
However, Senator Adaramodu clarified that no such connection exists.
“There’s no truth to it,” Adaramodu said. “Just because two people have the same surname doesn’t mean they’re related. That would be like assuming everyone named Adaramodu in Osun is part of my family.”
He explained that although both individuals come from the same state and share a surname, it does not indicate any blood relation.
“The Senate President and Mrs. Usoro Akpabio are not connected by family. People often bear similar names within a region or culture, but that doesn’t equate to kinship,” he added.
Adaramodu further emphasized that the appointment was strictly on merit and based on President Tinubu’s decision, with no influence from the Senate President.
“She is not in any way related to the former governor,” he reiterated. “Of course, any qualified individual, even from a politician’s family, could be considered for public office — but in this particular case, there is absolutely no relationship.”
