By Solomon OKPO
The Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State has firmly debunked reports circulating on social media claiming that the Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, sponsored a bill currently before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
In a disclaimer issued on Sunday by her Press Secretary, Mr. Omen Bassey, the office described the report as false, misleading and entirely fabricated, stressing that Senator Eyakenyi has not sponsored any bill in the State House of Assembly or any other legislative chamber.
The statement explained that the spurious claim had triggered a wave of enquiries from concerned members of the public, prompting the need for an unequivocal clarification in the interest of transparency and public enlightenment.
According to the Press Secretary, the Deputy Governor is not aware of the existence of the purported bill and had no involvement whatsoever in its initiation or sponsorship.
He further clarified that as a member of the State Executive Council, the Deputy Governor does not possess the authority to personally sponsor bills, as all executive bills must first be deliberated upon by the Council and formally transmitted to the legislature by the Governor or an authorised agent.
The statement also noted that the alleged bill did not originate from any official communication channel of either the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly or the Akwa Ibom State Government, further underscoring its fictitious nature.
Mr. Bassey urged members of the public to disregard the report in its entirety and cautioned against the growing culture of misinformation driven by unverified social media content. He advised citizens to rely strictly on official government and legislative communication platforms when seeking clarification on sensitive or controversial issues.
“The public must develop the discipline of verifying information through credible and authorised channels before accepting or amplifying such reports,” the statement concluded.
The Office of the Deputy Governor reaffirmed its commitment to openness, accountability and responsible communication in the conduct of government business.
