The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has dismissed as false a viral social media claim suggesting that lawmakers are planning to criminalise sexual relationships with married men.
In a statement issued on Monday in Uyo and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr Jerry Otu, the Assembly described the report as misleading and without any legislative basis.
The viral claim, reportedly shared by a Facebook user named Obiavel Albert Abigo, alleged that a bill sponsored by Deputy Governor Sen. Akon Eyakenyi would impose a 10-year jail term on women involved in such relationships, alongside a ₦2 million fine for men.
Reacting to the report, Otu said:
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“The attention of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has been drawn to a fabricated report circulating on social media, alleging that the House is set to pass a bill criminalising sexual relationships with married men.”
He added that the allegation was untrue and that no such proposal exists before the legislature:
“The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly wishes to categorically state that this report is entirely false and has no basis in fact.”
Otu confirmed that the Assembly has neither received nor considered any bill of this nature:
“The Assembly has not received or considered any such bill, and the Deputy Governor has not sponsored it.”
He also condemned what he called an attempt to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the state government:
“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.”
The chairman said the House remains focused on its constitutional duties and will not be distracted by misinformation. He encouraged residents to rely on credible sources and verify claims before sharing them online.