A former classmate of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Charles Preye Zuofa, has described him as a humorous and intelligent student during their time at Federal Government College, Port Harcourt.
Zuofa was speaking to Newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday.
He said Akpabio was popularly known as “Goddy A” in school because of his wit and leadership qualities. He recalled that Akpabio once won a school contest as the best DJ and stand-up comedian.
“Goddy A, as we used to call him, was a very intelligent yet humorous student,” Zuofa said. “Before stand-up comedy became popular in Nigeria, ‘Goddy A’ was already a stand-up comedian. He contested in our fourth year and won the best DJ and stand-up comedian of the school. That’s when we gave him the nickname ‘Goddy A’.”
He described Akpabio as someone who had a way of making serious situations feel lighter by cracking jokes, helping those around him feel comfortable. Despite his humorous nature, Zuofa said Akpabio was a serious-minded, intelligent, and responsible student with strong leadership qualities.
“The Senate President was our Senior Prefect, and to be in that position, you had to be well-rounded, responsible, and respected,” he added. “He played a key role in maintaining discipline and setting an example for other students.”
Zuofa also said that after their time in school, he remained close to Akpabio and attended many of his public events.
“A documentary was made to celebrate Akpabio at 50, and I spoke on behalf of his friends,” he said. “I was also present at his 59th birthday in Uyo and his 61st birthday celebration at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.”
On the recent sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Zuofa dismissed them as untrue.
“But the allegations of sexual harassment do not align with the behaviour and conduct of the Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio that I have known and interacted with very closely for 50 years,” he said.
He further defended Akpabio’s character, saying, “Senator Akpabio has always treated women with the highest level of respect. These accusations are completely opposite to what I know about him, and I consider them unfounded unless proven otherwise.”