ABUJA, Nigeria — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is behind a “coordinated smear campaign” aimed at tarnishing her reputation and endangering her safety.
In the petition dated Thursday, May 15, 2025, and titled “Petition Against Coordinated Defamation and Cyberbullying by Sponsored Syndicate at the Behest of the President of the Senate – Godswill Akpabio,” the lawmaker accused Akpabio of using media proxies to circulate false allegations linking her to terrorism, political violence, and illegal arms deals.
“These publications were not only identical in content but also strategically timed and syndicated across various platforms in a manner that clearly suggests a centrally coordinated attack,” wrote Ehiogie West-Idahosa, counsel to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
She cited a series of online articles published on Saturday, May 10, 2025, that, she claims, falsely accuse her of sponsoring terrorism and orchestrating killings in Kogi Central.
The senator described the accusations as “baseless, malicious, and defamatory,” and said they amount to cyberbullying and character assassination.
In the petition, she contends that the defamation campaign is politically motivated and designed to delegitimise her as a federal lawmaker while paving the way for targeted investigations or prosecutions.
“This pattern of cyberbullying and political blackmail must not be allowed to continue unchecked,” the petition states.
“It poses a grave threat to democracy, free speech, and the integrity of our institutions.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ran in the 2023 Kogi governorship election and has previously alleged political intimidation.
She said the latest attacks represent a continuation of those efforts.
She called on the police to launch a “thorough” investigation into the individuals and media outlets involved and to scrutinise the role of Senate President Akpabio.
She also urged the IGP to provide her with adequate security in light of the terrorism-related allegations that she says have placed her life and her family in danger.
“It is imperative that those who misuse their positions of power to intimidate and malign others are held accountable,” the petition reads.
