₦airaland Forum

The immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian-American Public Affairs Committee, Texas, Mr Ike Chidolue, has urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to present credible evidence to support her allegations or resign from the Senate.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of conspiring to kill her.
Chidolue made the call in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

His reaction followed the senator’s recent Facebook post, in which she dismissed a viral May 1 Facebook Live broadcast by Dr Sandra Duru (also known as Prof. Mgbeke).

Akpoti-Uduaghan had described the broadcast which featured audio recordings and screenshots that appeared to contradict her public denials on several matters as “manipulated” and “politically motivated.”
However, Chidolue said the senator had failed to present any facts or evidence to defend her position.

According to him, “Her post offered no facts, no forensics, and certainly no credibility.

“What it does offer, unfortunately, is a continuation of a now-familiar pattern sensational allegations, quickly recycled into conspiracy claims once confronted with inconvenient evidence.”

Chidolue added that if the materials presented by Duru were authentic, they portrayed a troubling picture of a public official weaponising unproven accusations for political mileage.

He cited a number of claims made by Akpoti-Uduaghan which had not been substantiated with verifiable evidence. These included allegations of sexual harassment by Senate President Akpabio, claims that former Governor Yahaya Bello was contracted to assassinate her, and accusations that the Akpabios were involved in the 2021 death of a minor.

He also referred to her assertion that her reassignment on the Senate floor was punishment for rejecting advances.

“Not one of these claims has been substantiated by a police report, sworn affidavit, Senate resolution, or authenticated document.

When confronted with contradictory evidence, the senator’s response has been predictable: attack the source, dismiss the proof, and shift the goalposts,” Chidolue stated.

He therefore recommended a four-step approach to restore public confidence.

According to him, Akpoti-Uduaghan should first verify or refute Duru’s recordings through an independent forensic laboratory publicly.

She should also present evidence including police reports, court filings, and Senate records to support every claim, or pursue legal redress if defamed,” he said.

Failing all else, Chidolue added, she should issue a public apology and vacate her Senate seat.

“Let it be said plainly that Nigeria’s public institutions are not theatres for trial-by-sentiment.

“When elected leaders make explosive claims, they owe the public facts, not theatrics. Nigerians deserve better than conjecture and drama.

“The time for storytelling has expired. The burden is now hers: evidence or exit,” Chidolue concluded.

The political controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has deepened following a scathing May 1st live video by Dr. Sandra Duru, in which she accused the senator of fabricating her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and claimed that Dr. Oby Ezekwesili was bribed to defend her.

In the now-viral broadcast, Dr. Duru challenged both women to take her to court if her allegations were false. She questioned why, despite several media statements and online pushbacks, neither Natasha nor Ezekwesili has initiated legal proceedings against her.

“You’ve both spoken on camera, made long posts, and done interviews. But why haven’t you sued me? Because you know I have proof — and in court, the truth will be laid bare,” Dr. Duru said.
She alleged that Senator Natasha, knowing she lacked evidence, intentionally lied about being sexually harassed by Akpabio for political gain — and then enlisted Ezekwesili’s public credibility to bolster her claim. According to Duru, Ezekwesili's passionate social media defense of Natasha, including a viral memo attacking Akpabio and his allies, was not rooted in principle, but in a financial arrangement.

These allegations, if proven true, would not only discredit a major harassment claim but also cast doubt on the integrity of feminist advocacy and anti-corruption voices that championed it.

Dr. Duru’s video comes in response to growing public interest in the unresolved petition against Senate President Akpabio, which Natasha filed alleging sexual harassment and abuse of office. Though the matter has received widespread media attention and mobilized support from figures like Dr. Ezekwesili and members of FIDA, critics have increasingly asked why no hard evidence has been publicly presented.

Duru maintains that the entire case is a calculated political ploy, and insists she possesses communication records, financial trails, and other material evidence that could unravel the case if challenged in court.

“They can’t sue me, and they won’t — because they know what will come out in discovery,” she said.
Observers note that while both Natasha and Ezekwesili have issued responses and reaffirmed their commitment to justice, their consistent avoidance of legal redress against Dr. Duru has raised eyebrows. Many are beginning to ask whether silence in court equates to fear of exposure, particularly if Duru’s claims about fabricated evidence and backdoor deals are substantiated.

As the scandal unfolds, pressure is mounting on all parties involved to come clean — not just in the media, but in a court of law where facts, not narratives, will prevail.

Madam Ezekwesili, your desperate attempt to reframe Natasha Akpoti’s well-documented pattern of falsehood and political manipulation as a “cry for justice” is not only intellectually dishonest but also a gross insult to the intelligence of Nigerians and the integrity of our legal system.

Let’s be clear: support for justice must be rooted in veritas—truth. What you are defending is not justice. It’s the weaponization of gender narratives and public sympathy to obstruct lawful inquiries and shield your political ally from the consequences of her own inconsistencies, contradictions, and complete lack of admissible evidence.

You claim an incorruptible record, yet your actions now speak volumes: inserting yourself into an ongoing legislative probe to stir public sentiment and derail due process under the guise of activism. This is a classic case of obstruction of justice in spirit, and if not, in letter. If you were truly concerned about justice, you would advocate for facts, evidence, and procedure, and not emotional distractions or social media theatrics.

Madam, your role as a former public servant comes with a moral duty not to lend your voice to charades designed to manipulate the judiciary of public opinion. Your endorsement of a clearly discredited narrative bereft of verifiable proof is not activism; it is complicity.

No matter how many sentimental hashtags or “unwavering memos” you post, the law is not swayed by emotional blackmail or public posturing. It is guided by actus reus, mens rea, and prima facie evidence. And on all three fronts, Natasha Akpoti has woefully failed.

To the Nigerian people: the committee investigating these serious allegations must not be deliberately disrupted by individuals who exploit gender solidarity to shield political allies. No form of orchestrated interference or misplaced loyalty should be allowed to obstruct a lawful process grounded in truth, evidence, and justice. ( Though, its been adjourned indefinitely as Natasha exclaimed and celebrated )

Justice is not a gendered performance. It is a matter of fact, law, and conscience.

Respectfully,
A Defender of Due Process and the Dignity of Womanhood

Dr. Sandra C Duru

Senator Natasha is wrong yet again on this. Many Nigerians believed you without any single evidence. You owe Nigerians evidence to back up your claim of sexual harassment. It’s not only the court you owe this explanation.

yussybenayu:
Bello won't end well. Governors come and go only your legacy last. Table will change soon

Faleke, a third term member of the Federal House of Representatives and currently a candidate for the Lagos reps, has purchased the governorship nomination form for Kogi elections.

This has however not gone down well with the masses who have said Faleke does not have the Constitutional right to contest Kogi guber while he is currently running for the house of reps in Lagos.

James Faleke who also serves as Secretary, All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, is yet to deny this.

Many have threatened to sue and have called on the INEC to address this.

According to Adenike Wasiu, "how can someone who running for Lagos reps election in 7days buy a governorship nomination form for Kogi state?".

The questions are: does the electoral act permit someone to run for two elections in two different states and constituencies at the same time?

Young blogger, Isah Aliyu Omota has been arrested by the police following reports from Natasha Akpoti, a kogi Central senatorial aspirant, on alleged defamation of Character.

This has however not gone well with Kogites who have accused Natasha of intimidation. The blogger who shared a referenced post on a kogi blog, "Ebira4real", was arrested shortly thereafter and has spent several days in cell. Barr. Natasha has been accused by Kogites of using police intimidation against social media activists and bloggers who share any negative statements about her.