Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally petitioned the IGP, accusing Senate President Akpabio of leading a well-coordinated smear campaign to label her a terrorist. Read details ..
…. Senator Natasha Alleges Senate President is Using Proxies to Label Her a Terrorist, Demands Police Protection and Justice
In a development that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sponsoring a coordinated and malicious media campaign against her.
In the petition dated May 15, 2025, and titled “Petition Against Coordinated Defamation and Cyberbullying by Sponsored Syndicate at the Behest of the President of the Senate – Godswill Akpabio,” the outspoken senator alleged that Akpabio is using media proxies to spread damaging and false narratives with the intent of destroying her political career, endangering her life, and delegitimizing her role in the National Assembly.
According to the document submitted through her legal counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, multiple online publications released identical articles on May 10, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of terrorism sponsorship, involvement in illegal arms deals, and orchestrating violence in Kogi Central. The articles were published simultaneously across different platforms, leading the senator to conclude that the operation was a centrally planned cyberattack intended to assassinate her character.
“These publications were not only identical in content but also strategically timed and syndicated across various platforms in a manner that clearly suggests a centrally coordinated attack,” her lawyer stated.
Senator Natasha, a former governorship candidate in Kogi State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserted that this is not the first time she has been targeted. She referenced the intense smear campaigns and threats she faced during the 2023 gubernatorial elections as part of an ongoing attempt to silence her politically.
“This pattern of cyberbullying and political blackmail must not be allowed to continue unchecked. It poses a grave threat to democracy, free speech, and the integrity of our institutions,” she wrote.
In addition to calling for a full investigation into the individuals and media outlets involved in the defamatory publications, Natasha explicitly asked the IGP to probe the alleged role of Senate President Akpabio in the matter.
“It is imperative that those who misuse their positions of power to intimidate and malign others are held accountable,” she emphasized, while also urging the police to offer her protection amid rising concerns over her safety due to the terrorism allegations.
The senator stated that the false accusations could incite public hostility and potentially endanger her and her family.
Meanwhile, when contacted by TheCable, Akpabio’s spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, declined to comment, claiming he had not yet seen the petition. Even after being sent the document via WhatsApp, Eyiboh remained silent and offered no response to the grave allegations.
The silence from the Senate President’s camp has only fueled speculation, as observers question whether the smear campaign is politically motivated and part of a broader agenda to silence dissent within the National Assembly.
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