Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Accuses Senate President Akpabio of Orchestrating Smear Campaign
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, has filed a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging a “coordinated smear campaign” against her—one she claims is being masterminded by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a strongly worded petition dated May 15 and titled ‘Petition Against Coordinated Defamation and Cyberbullying by Sponsored Syndicate at the Behest of the President of the Senate – Godswill Akpabio’, the senator accused Akpabio of using media proxies to disseminate damaging and false narratives about her across various online platforms.
According to the petition, multiple online news outlets simultaneously published identical articles on May 10, which accused the lawmaker of sponsoring terrorism, orchestrating killings in Kogi Central, and being involved in illegal arms deals.
“These publications were not only identical in content but also strategically timed and syndicated across various platforms in a manner that suggests a centrally coordinated attack,” the petition states, as written by her legal counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said the allegations are “baseless, malicious, and defamatory,” warning that such claims endanger her safety, her family’s well-being, and her political standing. She described the campaign as an act of cyberbullying and political character assassination, allegedly aimed at delegitimising her role in the Senate and paving the way for politically motivated investigations or legal action.
“This pattern of cyberbullying and political blackmail must not be allowed to continue unchecked,” she wrote. “It poses a grave threat to democracy, free speech, and the integrity of our institutions.”
The senator also alleged this is not the first time she has been targeted. She recalled similar attempts to discredit her during the 2023 Kogi State gubernatorial election, in which she ran as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akpoti-Uduaghan called for an exhaustive investigation into the individuals and media organizations involved in the smear effort, and specifically requested the police to examine Akpabio’s role in the matter.
“I respectfully request that your esteemed office investigate this matter thoroughly and bring to justice all individuals and organisations involved in this coordinated defamation campaign,” she wrote. “It is imperative that those who misuse their positions of power to intimidate and malign others are held accountable.”
She also asked the police to provide security protection for her, citing the serious nature of the terrorism allegations.
When contacted for a response, Eseme Eyiboh, media adviser to Senate President Akpabio, told TheCable that he was unaware of the petition and thus unable to comment.
“How do you want me to respond to a petition I haven’t seen? You have seen the petition, but I have not seen it,” Eyiboh stated.
Although the document was later sent to him via WhatsApp, no official response had been received from Akpabio’s office at the time of filing this report.
