The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has denied a social media claim alleging it plans to criminalise sexual relationships with married men.
The assembly’s position was outlined in a statement issued on Monday in Uyo by Jerry Otu, chairperson of the House committee on information.
Otu described the viral claim as a deliberate falsehood, calling it a “fabrication with no legislative basis”.
He said the report, allegedly shared on Facebook by Obiavel Albert Abigo, falsely claimed that a bill sponsored by Akon Eyakenyi, deputy governor of Akwa Ibom, sought to jail women for 10 years over relationships with married men while imposing a N2 million fine on men.
“The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that this report is entirely false and has no basis in fact,” Otu said.
“The assembly has not received or considered any such bill, and the Deputy Governor has not sponsored it.
“We condemn this malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the Deputy Governor and the Assembly, and urge the public to disregard this fake news and any associated commentaries.”
Otu added that the House remains committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will not allow misinformation to undermine its credibility.
On their part, the Akwa Ibom State Government also rejected the report.
Aniekan Umanah, commissioner for information, in a statement issued on Monday, described it as “misleading and harmful.”
“For the record, the Deputy Governor has not sponsored any Bill in the State House of Assembly or elsewhere, and she is completely unaware of the purported Bill circulating online,” Aniekan said.
“Governance is a serious and noble responsibility, far above the petty machinations of fake news, online marauders, and those seeking to distort facts for personal or political gain.
“As a member of the State Executive Council, the Deputy Governor does not have the mandate to sponsor Bills to the House of Assembly independently.
“Any Executive Bill must first be deliberated upon and approved by the Council before being transmitted to the Legislature by the Executive Arm of Government.”