Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding an investigation into an alleged assassination plot made against him by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This was contained in a letter dated 3 April 2025, addressed to the IGP.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAkpabion, who denied the accusation, requested that Akpoti-Uduaghan be prosecuted for criminal defamation.
Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had been at loggerheads since the incident during plenary at the Senate over the sitting arrangement. Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. She was subsequently suspended for six months from the Senate over alleged gross misconduct.
Akpabio’s petition, which was copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations during her homecoming rally in Kogi State on 1 April 2025.
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While addressing a jubilant crowd who gathered to welcome her, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio instructed the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and others to arrange for her assassination in the State.
The lawmaker claimed that the plan was to make it appear that she was killed by her constituents.
However, Akpabio denied the allegation, saying it is “entirely false, unfounded, and politically motivated.”
The Senate President claimed that it was a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and incite political unrest.
“This statement is not only a heinous lie but a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest,” Akpabio stated.
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“I categorically state that this allegation is entirely false, unfounded, and politically motivated. It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain, and the statement was made without any shred of truth or supporting evidence.”
Akpabio further stated that the comment was intended to manipulate public sentiment and malign his reputation and office in the eyes of the Nigerian people and the international community.
The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and ex-governor of Akwa Ibom State, emphasised the necessity of holding public officials accountable for their conduct, especially when such utterances are designed to undermine democratic institutions and degrade elected officials’ reputations.
“The severity of this false allegation, and the fact that it has gained public traction, makes it necessary that law enforcement agencies treat it with the urgency it deserves,” he added.
He therefore called for an investigation into the allegation and the prosecution of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation, adding that her utterance equally amounts to incitement, capable of causing a breach of peace.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
