By Kolawole Ojebisi
The last has definitely not been heard of the accusations and counter-accusations between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and a suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the Red Chamber, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This is as Akpabio has reportedly petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking an investigation into an alleged assassination plot made against him by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpabio, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs petitioned the police boss in a letter dated April 3, 2025.
In the petition, Akpabio denied the serious accusation and called for the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation.
The petition, which was also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, comes after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations on April 1, 2025.
Akpabio categorically denied the accusation hurled at him by Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the assassination claim as a “heinous lie” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to tarnish his reputation.
The Senate President labelled the allegation as politically motivated, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to incite political unrest and damage his public image.
He stressed that the allegation was made without any supporting evidence.The Senate President also highlighted the severe impact of the purported allegation, especially given its widespread coverage across media platforms, including radio, television, and social media.
Akpabio said: “I write to formally bring to your attention and seek immediate investigation and prosecution of a criminally defamatory and malicious statement made against me by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a suspended member of the Nigerian Senate on the 1st of April, 2025 and which was widely publicised on radio stations, televisions and newspapers, including the social media.
“In the public outburst at Kogi State while addressing her audience, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely alleged that I instructed the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to ‘assassinate her in Kogi State instead of Abuja’ with the intent of making it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.
“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.
“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 added: “Her motive was clear, which was to incite the public, manipulate sentiments, and malign my person and office in the eyes of the Nigerian people and the international community.
“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.
Akpabio also called for the “immediate investigation into the false and inciting allegation” and the prosecution of “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan under the relevant provisions of the law for criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.”
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan had returned to her senatorial constituency for Sallah break and was given a heroic welcome abd receptio by her people despite initial police order warning against public rally.
While addressing her supporters, Natasha who was basking in the euphoria of the heroic welcome, accused Akpabio of allegedly instructing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor Usman Ododo to plot her assassination in Kogi State, claiming that the act was intended to make it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.
