Yemi Obafemi
The Office of the President of the Senate has strongly condemned the allegations made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in which she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of plotting to assassinate her.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President dismissed the claims as baseless, false, and inflammatory. According to the statement, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged on April 1, while speaking in Kogi State, that Akpabio had recruited former Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her.
“This outrageous accusation is not only false but a complete fabrication and a deeply irresponsible attempt to provoke public unrest, attract media attention, and discredit the person and office of the President of the Senate,” the statement read.
The Senate President’s office further accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of having a pattern of making unfounded allegations. It recalled that she had previously accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, an accusation that she later abandoned. The statement also pointed out that she had made multiple assassination claims against various individuals in the past, including former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The controversy escalated further when, on April 2, former Senator Elisha Abbo appeared on Arise Television to accuse Akpabio of manipulating the judiciary to secure his removal from the Senate. The statement by the Senate President’s office dismissed Abbo’s claims, pointing out that he had previously retracted the same accusation in 2023 and publicly apologized after realizing his claims were based on incorrect assumptions.
Abbo also alleged that he had been denied his entitlements by the Senate President, a claim that was also refuted in the statement. According to Eyiboh, salaries and allowances are processed through administrative and legal procedures, and the Senate President has no unilateral control over such payments.
The Senate President’s office suggested that the allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan and Abbo were part of a coordinated political smear campaign aimed at tarnishing Akpabio’s reputation. Despite these allegations, the statement emphasized that Akpabio remains committed to his role as Senate President and will not be distracted by what it described as “malicious falsehoods.”
The statement further disclosed that legal actions are underway against both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Abbo. They will be served formal letters of demand seeking immediate public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational harm.
The Senate President’s office further called on the Nigerian public and the international community to reject what it described as baseless and provocative narratives. It reaffirmed Akpabio’s dedication to upholding democratic values, legislative excellence, and national unity.
