Senate President Godswill Akpabio has vehemently denied allegations of an assassination plot by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has strongly refuted allegations made by the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that he conspired with former Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her.
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Akpabio, through his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, issued a statement on Friday in Abuja, dismissing the claims as “false and malicious.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan had publicly accused Akpabio of plotting her assassination during a gathering with her supporters in Kogi on Wednesday, alleging that he sought Bello’s assistance to carry out the act within the state.
The Kogi State government has subsequently denied any involvement in such a plot.
In response, Akpabio categorically denied the accusations, labelling them as a deliberate smear campaign intended to tarnish his reputation and portray him negatively to the public.
“This outrageous accusation is not only false but a complete fabrication and a deeply irresponsible and dangerous attempt to provoke public unrest, attract media attention, and discredit the person and office of the President of the Senate for ulterior motives,” Akpabio stated.
He further reminded the public of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s previous unsubstantiated allegations of sexual harassment against him, which she had apparently abandoned.
Akpabio also highlighted her history of making similar assassination claims against Yahaya Bello and other figures in 2019 and 2023.
He argued that her “recurring persecution narrative and evident lying complex” should not be used to malign individuals or damage their hard-earned reputations.
Akpabio also addressed allegations made by former Senator Elisha Abbo, who had accused him of orchestrating his removal from the National Assembly.
Abbo, who was sacked by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on October 16, 2023, blamed Akpabio for his predicament during a live television appearance.
The Senate President suggested that the simultaneous nature of these accusations indicated a coordinated campaign to damage his character.
He is now demanding apologies and retractions from both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Abbo, threatening legal action if they fail to comply.
“Nigerians will recall that Abbo, in 2023, publicly retracted this same accusation and tendered an apology after acknowledging that his claims were founded on incorrect assumptions.
His removal from office was the outcome of a constitutionally grounded judicial decision by the Court of Appeal, which independently determined that he was not duly elected to represent Adamawa North,” Akpabio stated.
He condemned what he perceived as a politically motivated smear campaign, asserting that “these individuals—backed by undisclosed interests—appear united in a desperate effort to undermine the credibility of the Senate and its leadership and intended to distract from their own personal and political shortcomings and failings.”
Akpabio’s statement concluded with a firm declaration that he remains undeterred and that legal proceedings are being initiated to seek public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational harm from both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Elisha Abbo.
