Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is at the center of a storm following allegations by US-based activist Dr. Sandra Duru, who accused her of attempting to orchestrate a smear campaign against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a dramatic Facebook live session on May 1, 2025, Duru, also known as Prof. Mgbeke, alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her N200 million, later proposing a dollar payment, to fabricate damaging claims against Akpabio, including accusations of murder and organ harvesting.
According to Duru, the senator was desperate for a new strategy after her earlier sexual harassment complaint against Akpabio failed to gain traction.
“She told me bluntly that the sexual harassment allegation was not flying. She said she needed another strategy,” Duru alleged.
“She offered me N200m and later offered to pay in dollars. I said no.”
Duru claimed Akpoti-Uduaghan recruited her to submit petitions to the UK Parliament and the United Nations, falsely accusing the Senate President of murder and organ trafficking.
Duru said the senator promised political rewards if the plan succeeded, including a ministerial appointment or even the governorship of Kogi State.
“She said this is a politically motivated and sponsored attack against what she called the Yoruba government. She said it had nothing to do with Akpabio,” Duru added.
According to the activist, Akpoti-Uduaghan specifically cited the case of a young woman named Umoren, alleging that her kidney was harvested for Akpabio’s wife.
However, Duru said the senator failed to provide any evidence, despite repeated promises.
“She made me understand that she wanted the organ harvesting case to take precedence over the sexual harassment.”
“I asked her for evidence or an autopsy report to prove the case, but she failed to send it,” she said.
Duru also claimed she submitted WhatsApp messages, call logs, and audio clips to U.S. authorities and Nigerian law enforcement for forensic investigation.
In a swift rebuttal, Akpoti-Uduaghan described Duru’s claims as manipulated falsehoods designed to serve Akpabio’s agenda.
Through her aide, Israel Arogbonlo, she accused the activist of fabricating recordings and misrepresenting her statements.
“I have carefully watched the live stream… The content, including the voice effect credited to me, is entirely untrue and most manipulated,” the senator said.
She condemned the alleged statements attributed to her as “crazy falsehoods” and promised to respond comprehensively in due time.
Former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, who was also mentioned in Duru’s broadcast, dismissed the accusations as baseless.
“I don’t have a response; zero response. I don’t respond to nonsense,” she told newsmen.
Similarly, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria denied any collusion.
Its Country Vice-President, Eliana Martins, insisted the organization only advocated for due process.
“Even if the issue of sexual harassment has to be proved, it has to be proved. We are interested in a transparent process… We did not collect any money from anybody or collude with anyone,” she emphasized.
Pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere expressed concern over the allegations, calling them a dangerous ethnic and political provocation.
The group accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of seeking to destabilize President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“No one should hold the country to ransom by inventing tribal conspiracies… Our nation will not bow to tribal blackmail,” the group warned.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6, 2025, following a dispute over seating arrangements, which she viewed as a targeted act of disrespect.
The conflict escalated when she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment dating back to a 2023 visit to his country home with her husband, an allegation Akpabio has vehemently denied.
