Signs of Realization: Akpabio’s Struggles Against Akpoti-Uduaghan
3 min read
– Emek
a Ugwuonye
It seems that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is beginning to recognize the futility of his battle against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. His recent decision to file a petition with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of making “criminally defamatory and inciting” statements illustrates his anxiety over losing this conflict.
In a petition dated April 3, 2025, and also sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Akpabio characterized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of a plot to assassinate her as “heinous lies” aimed at damaging his reputation, inciting public unrest, and threatening his life. He stated, “This statement is not only a heinous lie but a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest. It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain.”
Akpabio has called for an immediate police investigation and urged the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan under laws governing criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. He emphasized the severity of her allegations, highlighting their extensive coverage on television, radio, print, and social media. “The gravity of this false allegation, combined with its public traction, necessitates that law enforcement agencies address it with the urgency it deserves,” he stated in his petition.
Ironically, Akpabio claims his petition aims to hold public officials accountable for statements that could undermine national peace and the integrity of democratic institutions. This marks a curious turn of events. It was, after all, Akpabio and his allies—including Senators Nwaebonyi and Karimi—who took to national media to publicly disparage Akpoti-Uduaghan, hurling unwarranted accusations at her. Many believed Akpabio attempted to leverage media and information warfare to tarnish her reputation, assuming this tactic would help him win the battle. But he has ultimately failed—and now it is he who finds himself in the position of the complainant.
Interestingly, in his petition, Akpabio acknowledged that only his reputation suffered. It is disconcerting for him to label criticism as a potential threat to national stability. His actions reflect a profound misunderstanding of the situation. Where are those individuals who bestowed awards upon him just two weeks ago? Have they exhausted their accolades celebrating him as a great man who would never harm a woman?
If anyone deserves to voice complaints, it is Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. She is the one who faced suspension, had her position in the Senate altered as punishment for resisting Akpabio’s demands, and saw her security detail withdrawn. Further, her salary was suspended, she narrowly avoided a recall petition, was denied the opportunity to hold a rally, and even had to hire a helicopter to reach her supporters. It is she who has endured substantial injustice, not Akpabio. When he took away Senator Akpoti-Udughan’s security detail, what was his goal? Was it not to expose her to insecurity and potential assassination? That was enough evidence that he plotted to kill her.
Through this petition, Akpabio has implicitly admitted that he cannot control this issue from within the Senate. Initially, he allegedly pressured a judge to recuse himself, revealing his unwillingness to let the judiciary intervene. Why is he now seeking police involvement?
It is too late for Akpabio to rectify the situation. He should consider stepping down as the President of the Senate. He must undoubtedly regret ignoring the cautious advice of voices like Orji Uzor Kalu and Ahmad Lawan, who warned him to proceed with caution. Now, only stepping down could spare him further embarrassment in the ongoing saga.
