By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukeu, Warri
ABUJA: Senate President Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as a grave and politically motivated allegation made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a petition dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio urged the police chief to investigate Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleging that he encouraged former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to plan her assassination. The allegation, made during a public address in Kogi State on April 1, was, according to Akpabio, completely false and intended to malign his character.
“This is a reckless and deliberate attempt to destroy my reputation. The statement is not only malicious but also dangerous, given the security implications of such a grave accusation,” Akpabio said in the petition, a copy of which was also sent to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
Akpabio said the senator’s public remarks—broadcast on television, radio, and widely shared across social media platforms—were aimed at stirring public anger and gaining political mileage at his expense.
“There is no iota of truth in the claims. It is a calculated move to provoke public sentiment and cause unrest. The police must take this matter seriously,” he insisted.
The Senate President is pushing for criminal defamation charges to be filed against Akpoti-Uduaghan, arguing that her comments have put his life and political career at risk.
Observers say the development marks an escalation in political tensions between top lawmakers, and could potentially lead to a legal showdown. Neither Senator Natasha nor her team has publicly responded to the petition at the time of filing this report.