The President of the Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding an immediate investigation and prosecution of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over what he described as a “heinous and fabricated” accusation of an assassination plot against her.
The petition, dated April 3 and also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of defamation, incitement, and criminal falsehood capable of endangering public peace and democratic order.
The controversy stems from explosive remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a homecoming rally in Kogi State on April 1, where she accused Akpabio of instructing former Governor Yahaya Bello and current Governor Usman Ododo to orchestrate her assassination, allegedly to portray the attack as coming from political opponents in her constituency.
Reacting in strong terms, Akpabio denied the accusation outright, labeling it “a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination” devoid of evidence and “politically motivated.”
“This allegation is entirely false, unfounded, and dangerous,” he wrote. “It is a desperate attempt to incite political instability, manipulate public sentiment, and endanger my life.”
He noted that the viral nature of the allegation across social and traditional media platforms had made it imperative for security agencies to act swiftly.
Akpabio is pressing for the application of criminal defamation laws and other legal provisions relating to incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to breach public peace.
The Senate President emphasized that public officeholders must not weaponize falsehood for political gain, warning that such rhetoric, if unchecked, could erode public trust and threaten the foundations of democracy.
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“This is no longer just about political rivalry,” Akpabio asserted. “It is about ensuring that leaders are held accountable for their words, especially when those words have the potential to ignite unrest.”
The petition has heightened political tension in the National Assembly, particularly as it follows the controversial suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal critic of the ruling elite.
The Guardian
