Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has categorically disowned a viral audio and video circulating on social media, which falsely depicted her accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of blackmailing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure her imprisonment.
The senator, who was recently suspended from the Senate, labeled the tape as a product of voice cloning and digital impersonation, urging the public to disregard the fabricated content.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed dismay over the video, which purportedly showed her in a conversation with a journalist claiming Akpabio pressured Tinubu to jail her.
“My attention has been drawn to a video currently trending online purporting to feature me in a conversation with a journalist in which I allegedly claimed that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, blackmailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the Federal Government jails me,” she said
“This is a complete fabrication, and I urge Nigerians to disregard it.”
The senator’s denial comes amid a reported rift with Akpabio, which began over a seating arrangement dispute in the National Assembly and escalated with allegations of her being systematically silenced.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) recently called on President Tinubu to intervene in the feud, warning that it could destabilize the Senate.
This is not the first time Akpoti-Uduaghan has had to address false narratives on social media.
In May 2025, she distanced herself from a TikTok video showing her dancing to “Omo Ologo,” a song praising Tinubu, clarifying that she does not own a TikTok account and warning of parody accounts impersonating her.
The video sparked rumors of her potential defection, which she firmly denied.
The viral tape alleging blackmail has raised concerns about the growing use of digital manipulation in Nigerian politics.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for a thorough investigation into the source of the fabricated audio and video, emphasizing the dangers of misinformation in undermining public trust.
“This is a deliberate attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord,” she stated, adding that she maintains a cordial relationship with President Tinubu.
As the controversy unfolds, analysts suggest this incident underscores the increasing sophistication of digital impersonation tactics in Nigerian politics, raising questions about how authorities will address such misinformation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s commitment to seeking legal recourse against the perpetrators of the fabricated recording underscores her unwavering stance against the proliferation of deceitful online defamation. This resolute stance not only serves as a reminder of the pernicious effects of false information but also exemplifies a steadfast dedication to upholding integrity in the digital sphere. With her pledge to combat the dissemination of false narratives, Akpoti-Uduaghan exemplifies a staunch resolve to safeguard the truth amidst the tumult of online misinformation. Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible for the fake tape, signaling a broader fight against digital smear campaigns.
