Ex-Senator Murray-Bruce Responds to Atiku’s Corruption Claims, Defends Akpabio
Ben Murray-Bruce, a former Senator who represented Bayelsa East in the 8th Senate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has subtly countered remarks made by Atiku Abubakar, the party’s national leader and former Vice President, regarding Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s alleged corruption.
Atiku, in a recent interview on Arise News Channel, had labeled Akpabio as corrupt, citing his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State as evidence. He expressed no surprise over the National Assembly’s ratification of President Bola Tinubu’s State of Emergency declaration in Rivers State, implying that Akpabio’s leadership in the Senate influenced the lawmakers’ decision.
In response, Murray-Bruce, the founder of Silverbird Group, took to his Facebook page on Wednesday night to defend Akpabio, asserting that the Senate President had undergone extensive investigations by independent agencies and had been cleared of any wrongdoing.
“I know Senator Godswill Akpabio personally and intimately. He is a man of unimpeachable character, and both the South-South region and Nigeria are fortunate to have him leading the National Assembly during this critical time in our national development,” Murray-Bruce wrote.
He continued, “On the issue of corruption, here is a man who has been investigated thoroughly by both independent agencies and individuals—friends and foes alike—and yet, he has come out clean as a whistle.”
Murray-Bruce stressed the importance of national stability and leadership ability at this juncture, urging caution in how the Legislature is treated, particularly when it comes to partisan politics.
“I will not stand idly by while some try, both at home and abroad, to undermine an institution I was once proud to be a part of,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to Nigeria’s well-being. “I am a Nigerian who is proud of my country, and I will do everything to protect and promote it globally.”
Murray-Bruce closed by dismissing rumors and accusations as mere innuendo, asserting that they would never outweigh the truth. “Innuendo, hearsay, and dog whistles will always come. But they can never be so powerful that they take precedence over facts,” he concluded.
