The Senate has refuted widespread speculation that the newly appointed Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Usoro Akpabio, is the daughter of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, addressed the rumor during an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, calling the claim “completely false.”
President Bola Tinubu recently nominated Usoro Akpabio as the Commission’s Managing Director, along with former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, as Chairman.
The nominations were presented in a letter to the Senate, read during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by Senator Akpabio.
The same letter included 16 additional names for confirmation as board members of the newly formed commission, which will be headquartered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Following the announcement, social media was awash with rumors suggesting that Usoro Akpabio is the Senate President’s first daughter—a claim the Senate has now officially denied.
“There is no iota of truth in that report,” Adaramodu stated.
“It’s like assuming anyone with the same surname is automatically related. That’s not how these things work.”
He emphasized that while both individuals share a surname and come from the same state, there is no family connection between them.
“The Senate President and Usoro Akpabio are not related.
The appointment was made by the President based on merit,” he said.
Adaramodu added that although qualified relatives of public officials are not barred from appointments, this particular case involves no such connection.