Uduak Udo, an aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has publicly apologised for an embarrassing comment regarding the death of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno’s wife Patience Eno.
During a public event in Uyo, Udo mistakenly “congratulated” Eno on the death of his wife.
Mrs Eno died on September 26 from an undisclosed illness and was buried on November 29 in their family compound at Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
“Let me congratulate his excellency, the governor of the state, over the demise of his dear lovely wife,” Udo had said.
The statement, captured on video, quickly went viral across social media platforms, drawing widespread ridicule and criticism.
On Wednesday, Udo issued a formal apology, clarifying that he intended to commend the governor for organising a befitting burial for his wife.
“This was a clear case of a verbal slip,” Udo said in a Facebook post. “This occurs when there is a disconnect between the thoughts in your mind and your utterance.”
He extended apologies to Eno, the Senate President, his family and friends for any embarrassment caused.
“I apologise to Governor Umo Eno over this inadvertent error. I offer my sincere apologies to my principal, the President of the Senate, whose office has been erroneously linked to this mistake,” he said.
