Only DNA Test Can Settle My Paternity, Says Estranged Minister’s Son

Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, Marshall Ekperikpe Ekpo, the estranged first son of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, who is vying for the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed that he will not be distracted by the controversy surrounding his paternity or be compelled to abandon his political ambition.
Ahead of the polls slated for early next year, Marshall, our correspondent gathered, is embroiled in a paternity dispute with the Minister, a chieftain and leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ika Local Government Area, who has reportedly disowned him and denied being his biological father.
It was gathered that the feud, which observers described as politically motivated, recently escalated following reactions from some APC stakeholders in Ika LGA. The stakeholders accused the Minister of engaging in anti-party activities by allegedly sponsoring his son to contest on the platform of the NDC while remaining a member of the ruling APC.
According to some stakeholders, “The Minister is jittery over the likely sanctions awaiting him should the APC lose the contest to the smaller opposition NDC in the election.”
“The APC nomination ticket is likely to be given to the incumbent representative, Hon. Clement Jimbo, by the party’s national leadership, and the Minister is supporting him.
“That is why he is fighting this paternity battle with his biological son, because the young man was born out of wedlock,” a community leader in Ika, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged.
“Marshall, our party’s flag-bearer in the contest, has garnered widespread publicity, and the people of the constituency are backing him to replace Hon. Jimbo due to his perceived non-performance. The electorate has openly expressed resentment and is prepared to vote him out,” he added.
However, Marshall has challenged the Minister to personally prove that there is no biological relationship between them, insisting that the only way to resolve the matter is through a DNA test, which he said he is ready to undergo.
Responding on his Facebook page, Marshall expressed disappointment over what he described as attempts to distance him from his father following his emergence as the NDC candidate.
“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,” he wrote.
Marshall maintained that his decision to contest the election was driven by his desire to serve the people of the constituency and not by any family connection, insisting that the Minister remains his biological father.
“I will not deny the fact that the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, is my biological father.
“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,” he stated.
The controversy began after reports emerged that some political stakeholders were concerned that Marshall’s candidature could affect the electoral fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.