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Minister's son challenges alleged paternity denial, demands DNA test
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Minister's son challenges alleged paternity denial, demands DNA test

From Premium Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Nigerian politician's son, Marshall Ekperikpe Ekpo, publicly challenged his father, Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo, to a DNA test to confirm paternity.
  • The son claims his father is denying him, causing him pain as he runs for a House of Representatives seat.
  • The controversy stems from a spokesperson's statement denying any of the minister's sons were contesting elections, fueling speculation about the paternity dispute.

Marshall Ekperikpe Ekpo, a candidate for Nigeria's House of Representatives, has publicly called out his father, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, demanding a DNA test to settle a paternity dispute. The younger Ekpo expressed deep pain over his father's alleged rejection and refusal to acknowledge him.

It is painful to hear words of denouncement from a biological father, the very person who should offer comfort and quiet direction at a time like this.

— Marshall Ekperikpe EkpoThe son of the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources expressed his emotional distress over his father's alleged denial of paternity.

Running for the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Marshall Ekpo stated his desire to serve the people and insisted he would not be deterred by attempts to distance him from his father. He affirmed, "I will not deny the fact that the Honourable Minister of State (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, is my biological father." He urged his father to undergo a DNA test, asserting that "Truth does not fear examination, and facts will speak for themselves."

I will not deny the fact that the Honourable Minister of State (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, is my biological father.

— Marshall Ekperikpe EkpoThe NDC candidate affirmed his lineage amidst the paternity dispute with his father.

The public challenge appears to be a response to recent statements attributed to the minister's spokesperson, Louis Ibah. Reports quoted Ibah as denying that any of the minister's sons were involved in elections. This statement ignited controversy, raising questions about whether the minister was disputing Marshall's parentage or merely distancing himself from his political ambitions.

Dear Father, if you truly believe in your integrity, then let us settle this once and for all through a DNA test. Truth does not fear examination, and facts will speak for themselves.

— Marshall Ekperikpe EkpoMarshall Ekperikpe Ekpo directly challenged his father to undergo a DNA test to resolve the paternity claims.

Further complicating the situation, LEADERSHIP newspaper reported that the minister himself denied claims of his son seeking election. While PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the minister's direct statement, the conflicting reports have created significant public speculation. Concerns were previously raised by political stakeholders about Marshall's NDC candidacy potentially impacting the All Progressives Congress's electoral prospects in the constituency.

No son of the minister was contesting any election.

— Louis IbahThe spokesperson for the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources reportedly made a statement that fueled speculation about the paternity dispute.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Premium Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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