Charles Preye Zuofa, a classmate of Senate President Godswill Akpabio at Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, has shared that Nigeria’s third-ranking official was known for his humour during their school days.
Zuofa stated that Akpabio was affectionately called “Goddy A” because of his wit and intelligence.
He also dismissed allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, asserting that in over 50 years of knowing Akpabio, he had never seen him behave inappropriately towards women. He stressed that even as senior prefect at their school, Akpabio never engaged in such misconduct.
Zuofa recalled being present at the guided tour of Akpabio’s house in Uyo, where Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the Senate President made inappropriate remarks. However, he insisted that unless a court proves otherwise, her accusations—along with those made earlier by Joy Nunueh, a former interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)—remain unverified.
He said: “Goddy A, as we used to call him back then in FGC, Port Harcourt, was a very intelligent, yet humorous student. Before stand-up comedy became popular in Nigeria, ‘Goddy A’ was a stand-up comedian. He contested, I think, in our fourth year and won the best DJ and stand-up comedian of the school; it was thereafter that we coined and gave him the nickname ‘Goddy A’.”
According to Zuofa, Akpabio often used humour to ease tense situations and make people comfortable in his presence. However, despite his humorous nature, he was also serious-minded, studious, and intelligent, demonstrating strong leadership qualities.
He continued: “He was our senior prefect and, you know, to be senior prefect you must be a well-rounded individual who embodies leadership, responsibility, integrity, and strong interpersonal skills. As senior prefect, Godswill Akpabio played a crucial role in maintaining order, fostering a positive school environment, and serving as a role model for the entire student body.
“I am not surprised that the high-quality leadership traits he exhibited back then have now catapulted him to the leadership of the legislative arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Zuofa mentioned that he maintained a close relationship with Akpabio after their school years and had been actively involved in several events celebrating the Senate President.
He said: “A documentary was made to celebrate Godswill Akpabio at 50. I spoke on behalf of his friends in the documentary. I was also present at his 59th birthday held in Uyo. I was further present at his 61st birthday and well-attended triumphant homecoming held at the world-renowned Godswill Akpabio Stadium. My presence and active involvement at the organisation of these milestone events underscore the durability and depth of our relationship.”
While acknowledging the seriousness of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, Zuofa stated: “But the allegations of sexual harassment do not align with the behaviour and conduct of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio that I have known and interacted with very closely for 50 years.
“Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, who is a remarkably close friend and about whom I can safely give a character opinion, has always displayed and treated women with utmost courtesy and respect. I must restate that the current allegations of sexual harassment are entirely contrary to my personal experience of the Senate President, and I would consider it totally unfounded until otherwise proven.”
