ABUJA, Nigeria – Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, has strongly rejected the allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) that he had plotted to assassinate her.
Akpabio described these claims as malicious, false, and baseless, dismissing them as part of a deliberate campaign of misinformation aimed at discrediting him.
In a statement issued on Friday, April 4, 2025, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio emphasized his commitment to national unity, institutional integrity, and the rule of law, reiterating that such accusations would not distract him from his duties.
“As a statesman devoted to national unity and democratic values, I will not be distracted by malicious falsehoods or inflammatory rhetoric,” the statement read.
Eyiboh confirmed that formal letters of demand would be prepared to be served on both Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and former Senator Elisha Abbo, demanding immediate public retractions, apologies, and compensation for alleged reputational damage. ‘
These actions are being taken as part of the Senate President’s commitment to defending his reputation and ensuring accountability for such defamatory claims.
The statement, titled “Re: False and Malicious Allegations Targeting the President of the Senate,” vehemently condemned what it described as a coordinated smear campaign.
Eyiboh specifically referred to comments made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on April 1, 2025, in which she accused Akpabio of recruiting former Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her.
The statement described this accusation as “outrageous” and a “dangerous and provocative fabrication.”
The statement also reminded the public of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s previous unsubstantiated claim of sexual harassment against Akpabio, which she later abandoned without providing clarification.
Eyiboh pointed out that this is not the first time Akpoti-Uduaghan has made such allegations, noting her history of similar unfounded claims in 2019 and 2023 against other public figures.
“Her recurring pattern of false accusations, including similar claims in 2019 and 2023 against other public figures, reveals a troubling exploitation of victim-hood narratives for personal and political gain,” the statement added.
In response to recent comments made by former Senator Elisha Abbo during an April 2 interview on Arise TV, Akpabio also dismissed Abbo’s remarks, which alleged that Akpabio manipulated the judiciary to have him removed from office.
Eyiboh clarified that Abbo had previously retracted those claims in 2023 and issued a public apology, admitting that the allegations were based on false assumptions.
He emphasized that Abbo’s removal from office was the result of a constitutionally grounded judgment by the Court of Appeal, not political interference.
Eyiboh further refuted Abbo’s claims about being denied Senate entitlements, explaining that Senate entitlements are processed administratively and not at the discretion of the Senate President.
“His new claims regarding being denied entitlements are also categorically false,” the statement asserted.
Eyiboh suggested that the timing and similarity of these attacks pointed to a politically motivated effort to discredit the Senate and its leadership.
“These individuals, possibly backed by hidden interests, appear united in a desperate attempt to undermine the Senate and its leadership,” he said.
The statement confirmed that while the Senate President would pursue legal options, his primary focus would remain on fulfilling his legislative duties.
“Regardless of the necessity for legal redress, formal letters of demand seeking retractions, apologies, and compensation are underway,” the statement concluded.
Akpabio called on Nigerians and the international community to dismiss the allegations and instead focus on the Senate’s efforts to promote legislative excellence, uphold democratic values, and advance progress for the Nigerian people.
