Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, denies claims of sponsoring a controversial bill falsely circulating on social media.
The Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State has refuted reports circulating on social media suggesting that Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi sponsored a controversial bill before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
The viral claim alleged that the State House of Assembly would pass legislation criminalising relationships between women and married men, with severe penalties attached.
According to the misleading reports, any “young girl, lady or woman” found involved with a married man would face 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine, while the man would be required to pay a fine of ₦2 million.
The report falsely credited the bill to Senator Eyakenyi, sparking widespread concern and prompting members of the public to seek clarification from official sources.
In response, the Deputy Governor’s Press Secretary, Omen Bassey, issued a formal statement describing the claims as false, misleading, and deliberately misattributed to the Deputy Governor.
The statement clarified that Senator Eyakenyi has not sponsored any bill in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly or elsewhere and is entirely unaware of the purported legislation circulating online.
“The attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor has been drawn to a fake social media post falsely claiming that Her Excellency, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, sponsored a bill before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. For the record, this claim is entirely false and misleading,” the statement read.
It further explained that, as a member of the State Executive Council, the Deputy Governor does not possess the constitutional authority to independently sponsor bills.
Any executive bill must first be deliberated upon and approved by the Executive Council before being transmitted to the Legislature by the Governor or a duly authorised representative.
This process ensures that no member of the executive can unilaterally propose legislation without proper oversight and approval.
The Office of the Deputy Governor also emphasised that the misleading report did not originate from any official communication channels of the Akwa Ibom State Government or the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
Members of the public were therefore strongly urged to disregard the claim entirely and rely only on verified government sources for accurate information.
“This false news has caused unnecessary alarm, and we wish to reiterate that Senator Eyakenyi has not sponsored any bill. The Deputy Governor is focused on her official duties and has no knowledge of the bill purported to be in circulation,” the statement added.
Experts in governance and legislative procedures have also noted that in Akwa Ibom, executive members, including the Deputy Governor, cannot independently sponsor bills.
Legislative proposals originating from the executive must always pass through the proper channels, including review and approval by the Executive Council, before being presented to the House of Assembly.
The misleading social media post highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in Akwa Ibom and across Nigeria, particularly on digital platforms where false claims can spread rapidly and create confusion among the public.
Authorities in the state have repeatedly urged citizens to verify information and consult official sources before sharing or reacting to unverified content.
Senator Eyakenyi, who has served in various leadership roles in Akwa Ibom, continues to focus on developmental projects, public health, and social welfare initiatives in the state.
Her office has reaffirmed its commitment to transparent communication with the public and insists that all statements regarding legislative matters must come through official channels.
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