On Friday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio denied the claims made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, who accused him of enlisting former Governor Yahaya Bello to kill her. Akpabio described the allegation as “false and malicious” in a statement released by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the accusation while speaking to her supporters in Kogi on Wednesday, alleging that Akpabio sought Bello’s help to assassinate her in Kogi State rather than in Abuja. The Kogi State government has since denied the claim.
Akpabio responded by calling the accusation a “deliberate smear campaign” designed to tarnish his reputation and provoke public unrest. He emphasized that there was no truth to the allegation, labeling it a dangerous attempt to gain media attention and discredit him.
He reminded the public that Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously made an unfounded sexual harassment accusation against him, which she later abandoned. He also pointed out that she had made similar assassination claims against Governor Bello and others in the past, as well as multiple allegations of sexual harassment against other dignitaries. Akpabio condemned what he described as a pattern of baseless persecution and lies.
Additionally, Akpabio addressed accusations made by former lawmaker Elisha Abbo, who blamed him for his removal from the National Assembly after being sacked by a Court of Appeal ruling in October 2023. Akpabio reiterated that he had no involvement in Abbo’s removal and rejected claims that he ran the Senate like an emperor.
The Senate President suspected that the two accusations, coming almost simultaneously, were part of a coordinated smear campaign. He called for public apologies and retractions from both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Abbo to avoid legal action.
Akpabio reminded the public that Abbo had publicly retracted a similar accusation in 2023 after admitting his claims were based on incorrect assumptions. He also pointed out that Abbo’s removal was the result of a constitutional judicial decision, not any interference from him. Akpabio believes the timing and nature of the attacks suggest they were politically motivated and intended to undermine the Senate and its leadership.
The statement concluded by stating that Akpabio would pursue legal action and seek public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational harm from both individuals.