• Akpabio not distracted by Natasha’s alleged assassination plot’
A coalition of civil society organisations has called for immediate investigation into allegations of misconduct against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, Neda Imasuen.
However, Akpabio’s spokesman said his principal would not be distracted by allegations of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during her Sallah celebration in Okehi, Kogi State, on Tuesday.
The groups, in a petition submitted to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), expressed concern over what they described as grave ethical and legal breaches that threaten Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
The allegations against Akpabio include sexual harassment by Sen Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), which he has reportedly refused to address transparently.
The coalition also cited his role in the controversial six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as an abuse of power that undermines constitutional democracy.
Similarly, Imasuen faces allegations over a past disbarment in New York for fraud and professional misconduct.
Despite this, he chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, a position the petitioners argued is fundamentally inappropriate.
Imasuen’s involvement in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension further fuelled concerns over ethical governance in the Senate.
The coalition, comprising groups such as Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice, EiE Nigeria, Global Rights Advocates for Sustainable Justice, as Advocate for Democracy, urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the LPDC to take disciplinary action against the culprits.
It also called on the National Assembly to review the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensure adherence to judicial precedents.
The petitioners warned that failure to address these concerns would further erode public trust in Nigeria’s institutions and damage the country’s global reputation.
They urged citizens to demand accountability from their representatives, insisting that impunity in governance must not be tolerated.
Listed as applicants in the petition marked BB/LPDC/1670/25 are the Incorporated Trustees of Citizens Gavel Foundation for Social Justice, The EiE Project Ltd/GTE, Incorporated Trustees of Advocates for the Promotion of Digital Rights and Civic Interactions Initiative, TAP Initiative, Global Rights Advocates for Sustainable Justice, and the Open Society on Justice Reform Project.
During a recent public address at Ihima, Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of directing former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to orchestrate her assassination and facilitate an unlawful recall from the Senate.
The senator alleged that the schemes were discussed in clandestine meetings, with federal institutions reportedly co-opted to execute the plot.
She further claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) played a role by accepting and processing a recall petition from an unregistered group using a fictitious address.
Meanwhile, Advocate for Democracy described the allegations as unprecedented, warning that they represent a dangerous erosion of democratic principles.
In a statement signed by its Mass Communications and Competitive Intelligence Consultant, T. Brikins, the group stressed that “these are not mere political squabbles,” but allegations of attempted assassination, institutional manipulation and the subversion of democratic processes for personal or partisan interests.
It, therefore, demanded that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) should launch a transparent, non-partisan investigation into the grave allegations, with regular public updates.
The group also wants the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions to hold open hearings, summoning all the parties involved – including Akpabio and Imasuen, Bello and key INEC officials.
In addition, it wants INEC to clarify its role in accepting and processing a petition from an unregistered group and publish a full audit of its actions to restore public confidence.
“Full security coverage must be provided to Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian police to ensure her safety during this period. We call on international human rights bodies, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and foreign diplomatic missions in Nigeria to monitor this situation and hold accountable anyone found to be subverting Nigeria’s democracy.
“This is a defining moment for Nigeria. We must not allow political office to become a licence for lawlessness. Nigeria cannot afford a return to the era of state-sponsored intimidation. The sanctity of democratic institutions and the lives of public servants must be protected by all means legal and moral,” the group declared.
However, the Special Adviser to the President of the Senate on Media, Eseme Eyiboh, said he would not like to comment on the matter because they were before the court.
“We are all aware of the pendency of the subject matter of your inquiry in the court of law. Any comment in the circumstance shall be sub judice,” he quipped.
ON the assassination allegation, Eyiboh said Akpabio would not be distracted by the allegations, adding that the onus lies on the Kogi Central senator to prove her allegations.
Eyiboh said: “My reaction simply is that whoever alleges must prove. That is simple. That is trite in law.”
On whether the Senate President would sue Akpoti-Uduaghan for false accusation, Eyiboh said: “But for now, the SP is assiduously working together with his colleagues to collaborate, synergise with the executive to give to Nigeria renewed hope.
“I’m saying that the SP is not going to come down and begin to get distracted. What he’s concentrating on now is collaborating with his colleague senators for a constructive collaboration with the executive and other arms of government to give Nigeria Renewed Hope.” (Guardian)
