Suspended Senator Natasha Fires Back At Akpabio’s Assassination Plot Allegation, Labels Petition ‘Desperate Cry For Help’

Abuja, Nigeria– Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has reacted defiantly to a criminal defamation and incitement petition filed against her by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, dismissing the allegations as an attempt to silence her distress call over a real threat to her life.

Akpabio, in a letter dated April 3 and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of falsely claiming he plotted her assassination—an allegation he described as “heinous lies” aimed at damaging his reputation and inciting public unrest.

The petition, which was also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was triggered by comments Akpoti-Uduaghan made during a public appearance in Kogi State on April 1.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, had alleged that Akpabio directed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to orchestrate her killing and disguise it as an attack by her constituents.

“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,” Akpabio wrote in the petition.

“It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain. The severity of this false allegation, and the fact that it has gained public traction, makes it necessary that law enforcement agencies treat it with the urgency it deserves.”

Reacting through her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receipt of the petition and stood by her earlier remarks, describing them as a “desperate cry for help,” not political theater.

“She has received the petition and has responded. What happened when she made that statement was her crying out to the general public to understand what she is exposed to,” Giwa said.

He further criticized the Senate leadership’s decision to strip the senator of her security details following her suspension.

“You are aware that the Senate President ordered the withdrawal of her security. If somebody has committed gross misconduct, what has that got to do with the withdrawal of her security?” he questioned.

“You did stop her from coming to carry out her legislative duty as a senator, fine. But she has her life outside the Senate complex. And she’s a politically exposed person. You ordered her security details to be withdrawn—that’s dangerous.”