The traditional rulers and kinsmen of Senate President Godswill Akpabio have condemned the sex scandal allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing them as a politically motivated plot to tarnish Akpabio’s image and sabotage President Bola Tinubu’s chances for a second term.
Rising from an emergency meeting in Akwa Ibom, paramount rulers from the Annang ethnic nationality, under the aegis of Afe Nkuku Annang (ANA), declared that Natasha’s accusations were not just an attack on Akpabio but part of a larger opposition agenda to destabilize the current administration. The meeting, held at the palace of Obong Cosmss Akpan, Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim Local Government Area and Chairman of the forum, produced a strongly worded communiqué dismissing the allegations as baseless and politically engineered.
The royal fathers, representing eight local government areas—Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun, Ika, Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene, and Oruk Anam—asserted that rather than disgrace Akpabio, Natasha had only succeeded in exposing her own “moral bankruptcy” and bringing shame upon herself, her constituency, and the Nigerian Senate.
In their statement, signed by Obong Cosmss Akpan and Secretary General Akuku Johnson Obosi, the traditional rulers accused the opposition of using Natasha as a tool to discredit Akpabio and create divisions ahead of the 2027 elections. They noted that what began as a minor seating arrangement issue in the Senate had now escalated into a full-blown controversy, which, according to them, bore the hallmarks of a calculated political strategy.
The communiqué further described Akpabio as a leader with “impeccable moral standing, courage, and emotional intelligence,” insisting that he should not be distracted by what they termed “an agent of chaos stirring unnecessary controversy.” They argued that Natasha’s tactics were similar to previous attempts by certain politicians to use scandals as a bargaining chip for personal and political gain.
According to the royal fathers, the ongoing media frenzy over the allegations has the potential to derail the Senate’s legislative focus and undermine Nigeria’s democratic process. They warned against desperate politicians attempting to use baseless controversies to weaken the government, urging Nigerians to see through what they described as a deliberate effort to tarnish reputations for political advantage.
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The Annang leaders also took aim at Natasha’s supporters, including her kinsmen from the Ebira ethnic group and certain media houses, accusing them of hastily endorsing false narratives without proper scrutiny. They expressed disappointment that Natasha’s husband, Chief Uduaghan, had allegedly allowed himself to be used in what they described as a “dishonorable ploy” to mislead the public.
Referencing Natasha’s past, the traditional rulers claimed she had a long history of using “personal resources” to target prominent figures, suggesting that her recent appeal to the global inter-parliamentary body was merely another strategic move to elevate her personal brand on the international stage.
In a final warning, the monarchs urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against divisive political schemes, assuring that their stance remained non-partisan but firmly against any attempts to destabilize the nation with unnecessary distractions.
