A recent claim by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that Senate President Godswill Akpabio orchestrated an assassination plot against her has been met with strong criticism from various quarters. The Public Accountability and Governance Advocacy Group, known as the Executive Watchdog, has labeled the claim as “reckless, unfounded, and deeply injurious to democratic integrity”. The group has given Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan a seven-day ultimatum to provide evidence supporting her allegations, threatening to call for her arrest if she fails to comply.
Senator Akpabio has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as “false and malicious”. His media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, stated that the accusations are part of a deliberate smear campaign aimed at discrediting the Senate President. Akpabio noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously made unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment against him, which she seems to have abandoned without explanation.
The Kogi State government has also debunked the allegations, further complicating the situation. Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, remains defiant, daring Akpabio to sue her over the claims and maintaining that she stands by her allegations. Despite her assertions, she has yet to provide concrete evidence to support her claims, leading to widespread skepticism and calls for accountability.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate about the integrity of public discourse and the potential for such unsubstantiated claims to undermine democratic processes. The Executive Watchdog emphasized the need for truth and accountability in public statements, warning that such reckless accusations could erode public trust in institutions. A court in Abuja has also intervened, barring public comments on the matter and scheduling a hearing for May .
