News
Alleged assassination plot: Akpabio petitions IG, demands Natasha’s prosecution
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking an investigation into an alleged assassination plot made against him by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpabio, who was a Minister of Niger Delta Affairs petitioned the police boss in a letter dated April 3, 2025.
In the petition, Akpabio denied the serious accusation and called for the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation.
The petition, which was also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, comes after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations on April 1, 2025.
Addressing her supporters during her homecoming in Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of instructing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor Usman Ododo to assassinate her in Kogi State, claiming that the act was intended to make it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.
However, Akpabio categorically denied the accusation, calling it a “heinous lie” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to tarnish his reputation.
The Senate President labelled the allegation as politically motivated, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to incite political unrest and damage his public image.
He stressed that the allegation was made without any supporting evidence.
The Senate President also highlighted the severe impact of the false allegation, especially given its widespread coverage across media platforms, including radio, television, and social media.
Akpabio urged law enforcement agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
He said, “I write to formally bring to your attention and seek immediate investigation and prosecution of a criminally defamatory and malicious statement made against me by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a suspended member of the Nigerian Senate on the 1st of April, 2025 and which was widely publicised on radio stations, televisions and newspapers, including the social media.
“In the public outburst at Kogi State while addressing her audience, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely alleged that I instructed the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to ‘assassinate her in Kogi State instead of Abuja’ with the intent of making it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.
“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.
“I categorically state that this allegation is entirely false, unfounded, and politically motivated. It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain, and the statement was made without any shred of truth or supporting evidence.”
Akpabio added that the statement was intended to manipulate public sentiment and malign his person and office.
He emphasised the importance of holding public officeholders accountable for their actions, particularly when such statements are intended to destabilise democratic institutions and tarnish the image of elected officials.
“Her motive was clear, which was to incite the public, manipulate sentiments, and malign my person and office in the eyes of the Nigerian people and the international community.
“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,” he added.
Akpabio also called for the “immediate investigation into the false and inciting allegation” and the prosecution of “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan under the relevant provisions of the law for criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.”
A teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, Mustapha Yahaya Maru, has reportedly been k!lled by armed band!ts despite the payment of ransom for his release.
Sahara Reporters reports that Maru was abducted early May while travelling to Anka in Zamfara State alongside several other passengers after their vehicle was intercepted by the attackers.
Following the abduction, the k!dnappers contacted his family and demanded a ransom far beyond their financial capacity.The report states that after intense efforts and negotiations, the family eventually raised and paid the agreed amount in hopes of securing his freedom.
Tragically, the bandits k!lled Maru on Tuesday instead of releasing him.
His de@th has thrown his family and the Maru community into mourning and has further heightened concerns over the worsening insecurity in the region.
The Presidency on Wednesday said social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VDM, should face the law over the circulation of an alleged fake audio purportedly involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this in a post on X, accusing VDM of disseminating false content on social media.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga wrote.
The presidential aide was reacting to a post by an X user, identified as Aneex, who questioned why some people believed the voice in the audio belonged to Tinubu.
The user described the audio as “cheap propaganda” and alleged that VDM was exploiting emotions to spread misinformation.
In the viral content, VeryDarkMan allegedly used the audio to call on Nigerians to reject President Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.
The development comes just days after President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress at the party’s nationwide direct primary held on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
During the exercise, Tinubu reportedly polled 10,999,162 votes, defeating his sole challenger, APC chieftain Stanley Osifo, who secured 16,503 votes from over 12 million registered party members.
Meanwhile, opposition figures are already positioning ahead of 2027, with Peter Obi expected to fly the flag of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is also expected to lead the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has felicitated Muslim faithful in the state and the nation as whole on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, urging unity, tolerance, sacrifice, and hope.
Mbah, in his Eid goodwill message on Tuesday, also called for charity, urging Nigerians to rise in solidarity with one another, especially the less privileged.
He said, “On the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Enugu State and across Nigeria as they commemorate this sacred festival of faith, sacrifice, and devotion to Almighty Allah.
“Eid-el-Kabir reminds us that sacrifice lies at the very heart of true service to God and humanity. It calls to mind the profound blessings inherent in the virtues of patience, obedience, trust, and unwavering faith – values exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and which remain timeless lessons for us all.
“At a time when our nation continues to navigate important political and economic transitions, the significance of this celebration becomes even more profound.
“Let us be reminded that we all belong to one shared humanity and our collective progress as a people depends on our ability to uphold unity, mutual respect, peace, and compassion above all divisions.
“This season, therefore, offers us another opportunity to recommit ourselves to the ideals of tolerance, sacrifice for the common good, and solidarity with one another, especially the vulnerable among us.
“As we celebrate, I urge all citizens to continue to pray for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our dear state and nation. Let us also continue to work together in harmony to build a society defined by justice, opportunity, and shared progress for all.”
He concluded by wishing the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
-
News1 day agoNigerian international found dead in Abuja shortly after return from Europe
-
News2 days ago
Tinubu congratulates Rangers International after ninth NPFL title win
-
News2 days ago
Akani Landlords in Enugu raise alarm over alleged encroachment, urge buyers to exercise caution
-
News13 hours ago
30,000 Fulani militants fuelling Nigeria’s insecurity – US report
-
International1 day ago
Dozens of lranian fighters killed, as US resumes strike in Strait of Hormuz, targets IRGC Naval Boats in the Gulf
-
Uncategorized2 days ago
Terrorists kidnap 10, raid police station, raze Kwara emir’s palace
-
Business15 hours ago
S/East companies shutting down over rising energy costs — MAN
-
News2 days ago
INEC appeals ruling against Election Guidelines
