Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has strongly condemned the false and malicious accusations made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and former Senator Elisha Abbo. In a statement issued on April 4, 2025, Akpabio’s office demanded an immediate public apology and compensation for the damage to his reputation or face legal action. The accusations, which include claims of assassination plots and manipulation of the judiciary, have been labeled as baseless and politically motivated.
The first of the two explosive allegations came from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Speaking in Kogi State on April 1, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senator Akpabio of plotting to have her assassinated. She claimed that Akpabio had allegedly “recruited” former Governor Yahaya Bello to carry out the assassination, which she said was intended to take place in Kogi State rather than Abuja.
In the wake of these allegations, Akpabio’s office swiftly denounced the accusations, calling them “reckless,” “malicious,” and “a complete fabrication.” The statement further described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions as an attempt to provoke public unrest, gain media attention, and tarnish the reputation of the Senate President. According to the press release, the allegation was not only false but also irresponsible, as it endangered public peace and violated the integrity of the office of the Senate President.
“Such an outrageous claim is not only unfounded but deeply dangerous,” the statement read. “It is a deliberate attempt to discredit Senator Akpabio and the Senate leadership for ulterior political reasons.”
The statement also highlighted that Akpoti-Uduaghan had a history of making false allegations. In the past, she had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim she reportedly abandoned without providing any explanation. Furthermore, it was noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously made assassination allegations against former Governor Yahaya Bello in 2019 and 2023. These claims, the release pointed out, were never substantiated and were later dropped.
The Senate President’s office also criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s use of recurring victimhood narratives to exploit public sensitivities and manipulate the media for personal or political gain. “Her pattern of deliberate falsehoods should not be weaponized to malign individuals or destroy hard-earned reputations,” the statement continued.
Barely a day after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s explosive accusation, another former Senator, Elisha Abbo, resurfaced with allegations against Akpabio. On April 2, 2025, Abbo appeared on Arise Television and revived a claim he had previously withdrawn. He accused Akpabio of manipulating the judiciary to have him removed from the Senate. This accusation was particularly significant because, in 2023, Abbo had publicly retracted the same claim and apologized, acknowledging that it was based on incorrect information.
In addition to the judiciary manipulation allegation, Abbo also accused Akpabio of withholding his entitlements as a former senator. The Senate President’s office swiftly refuted this claim as well, emphasizing that such entitlements are processed through official administrative channels and cannot be unilaterally approved or denied by Akpabio. Any delays or issues with Abbo’s entitlements, the release stated, would have been due to compliance with established procedures and protocols.
The office of the Senate President expressed concern that Abbo’s comments were part of a coordinated political attack, aimed at undermining Akpabio’s credibility and leadership. It was suggested that both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Abbo, with possible backing from undisclosed political interests, were trying to create a smear campaign against the Senate President.
In response to these false claims, Akpabio’s office made it clear that legal action was imminent. A formal letter of demand, requesting public retractions, apologies, and compensation for the reputational harm caused, was set to be issued to both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Abbo. The statement underscored that Akpabio would not tolerate attempts to tarnish his reputation and would pursue legal redress if necessary.
“We will not allow malicious and false accusations to go unchecked,” the statement affirmed. “We are prepared to take all necessary legal steps to ensure that the integrity of the Senate President is upheld.”
The press release also called on the Nigerian public and international community to reject these “baseless and provocative” allegations. It emphasized that Akpabio remained focused on his constitutional responsibilities, including promoting legislative excellence and safeguarding democratic values, despite the ongoing smear campaign.
The timing of the allegations against Akpabio raised concerns about a larger, politically motivated campaign aimed at undermining the Senate leadership. Some analysts believe that these coordinated attacks are part of a broader effort by certain political figures to discredit Akpabio and distract from their own political challenges and failures.
This theory is supported by the fact that Akpoti-Uduaghan and Abbo, though from different political backgrounds, seem to have converged on similar accusations. The public nature of these claims, combined with their striking similarities in tone and timing, suggests that the two individuals, or those behind them, may be working together for a common goal.
The allegations against Akpabio are also seen as part of a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where political figures often resort to media-driven smear campaigns to weaken rivals. While the motivations behind these attacks remain unclear, the release made it clear that Akpabio would not be distracted from his duties by such attempts.
The public release has sparked widespread discussions about the role of media and politics in Nigeria. Some political analysts have raised concerns about the use of false narratives to manipulate public opinion and distract from more pressing issues facing the country. Others have stressed the need for stronger accountability measures to prevent the spread of harmful misinformation.
In the face of these challenges, Akpabio’s office remains resolute. While the Senate President faces these personal and political attacks, his office continues to stress his commitment to Nigeria’s democratic process and the advancement of national unity.
“As a statesman devoted to the rule of law, Senator Akpabio will not be distracted by these malicious falsehoods,” the statement concluded. “He remains committed to serving the Nigerian people and upholding the values of democracy and justice.”
