She Was 98% De@d” — Akpabio Speaks On Wife’s Six-Month Coma Survival

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has recounted the difficult experience surrounding his wife Unoma’s health, revealing that she spent six months in a coma after an operation reportedly went wrong at a hospital in Germany.

According to reports, Akpabio shared the account during an interview with St Padre Pio TV/Radio while visiting the Prayer Ground of St Padre Pio in St Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio said he visited the religious site to seek divine intervention and prayers for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reflecting on his personal experience, the Senate President said his wife had been placed on life support after complications from an operation and remained in a coma for six months.

Akpabio described her condition as critical, saying he was told she was “98 per cent dead.” He said he prayed to Mother Mary and sought the intercession of St Padre Pio during the difficult period.

“My wife was in a coma for six months in a hospital in Germany. She was 98 per cent dead. I used the picture of Pio to make a sign of the cross on her, instead of taking off the life support machine she was on,” he said.

According to Akpabio, his wife eventually regained consciousness, a development he described as miraculous. He added that the hospital had been unable to explain what happened.

He further disclosed that after her discharge, Unoma spent another three months before she was able to remember his name and those of their children.

Akpabio said his latest visit to the prayer ground marked his 10th visit and was primarily to express gratitude for his wife’s recovery.

“We are here today to give thanks to God and to thank Pio for always interceding for us,” he said.

He also explained that his family had honoured St Padre Pio by giving their son the baptismal name Pio and establishing the Pio Football Academy, which provides training and scholarships for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

During the visit, Akpabio also joined other Nigerians in prayers for peace and an end to insecurity caused by banditry and terrorism.

He described the location as a holy ground and said his personal experience had strengthened his belief in the intercession of St Padre Pio.

“We are all from Nigeria. We came to offer prayers and get blessings from God for ourselves, our families, and our dear country that is currently being ravaged by banditry and terrorism,” Akpabio said.

He expressed satisfaction with the condition of the religious site, adding that those who share his faith regard the location as significant because of their belief in St Padre Pio’s intercession.