Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come out swinging in response to damning allegations leveled against him by Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Elisha Abbo, demanding immediate retractions and public apologies from both lawmakers—or face the full weight of legal action.
In a fiery statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio dismissed the allegations as “false, malicious, and dangerously provocative,” warning that the Senate leadership will no longer tolerate what he described as a “coordinated campaign of misinformation and political blackmail.”
The statement, titled “False and Malicious Allegations Targeting the President of the Senate”, specifically addressed a stunning claim made by suspended Kogi lawmaker Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. During a public appearance in Kogi State on April 1, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio had enlisted former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in a plot to assassinate her—a claim Akpabio described as “outrageous, dangerous, and an outright fabrication aimed at inciting public unrest.”
“This is not the first time Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has made such inflammatory accusations,” the statement said. “She has a recurring pattern of weaponizing falsehoods, including similar baseless claims made in 2019 and 2023, all calculated to exploit victimhood narratives for personal and political mileage.”
The Senate President’s office also debunked Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertions that she was being denied her entitlements. According to the statement, the disbursement of Senate benefits is strictly administrative and not subject to the whims of the Senate President.
“Those peddling these lies, possibly sponsored by shadowy political forces, appear united in a desperate bid to destabilize the Senate and smear its leadership,” the statement said. “But let it be clear—formal letters of demand for retraction, apology, and possible compensation are already in motion. Legal redress is on the table.”
The drama did not end with Senator Natasha. On Thursday, Akpabio’s media aide also fired back at Senator Elisha Abbo, who had accused the Senate President during an interview on Arise News TV of turning the Senate into his “personal empire” and masterminding the removal of five senators, including himself.
“It is there in the papers,” Abbo insisted, further alleging that he had been denied his benefits post-removal, despite a court ruling that voided his tenure from inception.
In a sharp rebuttal, Eyiboh stated, “If any claims by Senator Abbo failed to reach the attention of the Senate President, it’s simply because they did not meet legal or administrative standards—not because of any political vendetta.”
He added, “It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the legal and political consequences of his actions, Mr. Abbo is engaged in media theatrics and baseless finger-pointing. The Senate President will not be dragged into the murky waters of personal bitterness and political showmanship.”
According to the statement, Akpabio remains laser-focused on steering the Senate through critical national reforms and strengthening democratic institutions, including the judiciary.
“Senator Akpabio is committed to nation-building and legislative excellence. He refuses to be distracted by those attempting to rewrite history to conceal personal failure and political miscalculations,” Eyiboh declared.
The statement concluded with a pointed advisory: “We urge Mr. Abbo to embrace introspection, respect the rule of law, and work to regain the trust of his constituents. Nigeria’s democracy thrives not on drama but on truth, maturity, and a deep commitment to public service.”
This unfolding political face-off signals a deepening rift within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, with legal battles now looming on the horizon.
PIONEER NEWS 