UYO, Nigeria — The Greater Akpabio Family has announced that Patience Ibanga Akpabio has been disowned and excommunicated from the family following what it described as repeated disparaging comments directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his wife.
The decision was disclosed at a family briefing after Patience, a former gospel artiste and spiritual teacher popularly known as Dr Pat Akpabio or Princes Pat Akpabio, was said to have ignored several warnings to stop making allegations and uncomplimentary remarks about the Senate President on social media.
At the briefing, the family said it was distressed by the actions of Mrs Patience Akpabio, whom it described as a daughter-in-law, adding that her conduct had brought embarrassment and public ridicule to the wider Akpabio family.
The text of the briefing was read by Dr Joe Akpabio, the deputy head of the family, who said the family would no longer tolerate what it described as disrespect towards its members.
“The attention of our family, THE GREATER AKPABIO FAMILY has been drawn to various viral videos in circulation a certain wife in our family, Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio; making disparaging comments, unwholesome remarks and insulting our great son in the person of the Senate President, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, his dear wife Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Ekaette Unoma Akpabio and others,” the statement, issued on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, said.
Warnings and Family Injunction
The family said it had earlier issued what it described as a traditional injunction through its head and a public notice, instructing Mrs Patience to cease making statements about the Senate President, his wife and other family members.
“Regrettably and most unfortunately, she has continued in her tirade thus ignoring the injunction by the family,” the statement said, adding that the continued remarks portrayed the family as unable to manage its internal affairs.
According to the briefing, assurances had been given by Patience’s husband, Barrister Ibanga Akpabio, that the comments would stop, but the family said the remarks and allegations continued.
The family said its established norms emphasise respect, unity and the use of internal channels to resolve grievances, and described the failure to follow those traditions as “regrettable”.
Formal Disownment Announced
Describing the comments as destructive and an affront to family values, the Greater Akpabio Family said it was united in rejecting the conduct and reaffirming its commitment to what it called its time-honoured ideals.
“Consequently, we strongly denounce the unwarranted and repeated attacks on our esteemed son and Pride of our Family, President of the Senate, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON,” the statement said, adding that the family was proud of his leadership and achievements.
The family said it was formally dissociating itself from Mrs Patience and warned members of the public against dealing with her as a representative or member of the family.
“As a family, we hereby use this medium to place a disclaimer on the person of Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio as being a wife, representative, and or member of the Greater Akpabio Family while also excommunicating her from the family,” the statement said.
Patience Akpabio has announced her intention to run for the Akwa Ibom West senatorial seat in 2027, challenging Godswill Akpabio.
