Atedo Peterside Criticizes Senate President Akpabio for Insensitive Comments at Wigwe’s Burial

By Daniel Edu

Atedo Peterside, the president and founder of Anap Foundation, has strongly criticized the President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, for his remarks during the final burial ceremony of the late CEO of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe.

Akpabio faced backlash for his actions at the burial ceremony of the bank’s chief executive. On Saturday, he engaged in a confrontation with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State over comments made at the funeral service of Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and son.

During Fubara’s speech, the Rivers governor called on politicians present to reflect on the purpose of their power struggles. Reacting to Fubara’s comments while delivering his own speech and tribute, Akpabio suggested that if there is no meaningful purpose in the political struggle, the governor should resign.

Akpabio also shared a personal story about his ambition to become the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom and urged the governor to step aside from what he referred to as a futile struggle.

Expressing his displeasure on his official X account on Monday, Peterside characterized Akpabio’s actions as self-centered and insensitive. He criticized the Senate President for making political jibes and jokes at a solemn combined funeral, deeming it inappropriate and lacking sensitivity.