“That Doctor Has A Deceptive Behaviour”, Senator Natasha Akpoti Fires Back At Sandra Duru
In a Facebook livestream broadcast on May 1, 2025, Duru had alleged that Senator Natasha tried to enlist her in a media campaign aimed at discrediting Senate President Godswill Akpabio, offering her millions of naira and substantial sums in US dollars.
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly denied fresh allegations of bribery and blackmail levelled against her by a United Kingdom-based Nigerian businesswoman, Sandra Duru, also known online as “Prof Mgbeke.”
Nigerian fashion
In a Facebook livestream broadcast on May 1, 2025, Duru had alleged that Senator Natasha tried to enlist her in a media campaign aimed at discrediting Senate President Godswill Akpabio, offering her millions of naira and substantial sums in US dollars.
Duru further claimed that Senator Natasha falsely accused Akpabio of sexual harassment as part of a broader plot to remove him from office and politically weaken President Bola Tinubu.
To support her claims, Duru played audio recordings purportedly of phone conversations with the senator.
In response, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan released a statement on Friday, categorically denying all allegations and accusing Duru of acting on behalf of Senate President Akpabio.
“The content of the livestream, including the voice attributed to me, is entirely untrue and has been manipulated to serve Sandra Duru’s ulterior motive of executing Senator Godswill Akpabio’s script,” Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.
She also claimed that the individual now known as Sandra Duru had previously used the alias “Prof Mgbeke” on Facebook, hinting at a history of deceptive behavior. The senator promised to issue a comprehensive response to what she described as “unfounded allegations” in due course.
The controversy is the latest chapter in an ongoing political feud between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio.
In February 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during a televised interview, alleging that he made inappropriate comments and linked the approval of her legislative proposal to personal favors. Akpabio denied the allegations and called for legal resolution through the courts.
In March, the Senate suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over what it described as “unruly and disruptive” conduct. Her harassment complaint was dismissed on procedural grounds, as Senate rules require another senator to submit such petitions on behalf of the complainant.
The suspension, which followed a disagreement over seating arrangements, triggered nationwide protests under the banner “We Are All Natasha.” Demonstrations were held across major cities, including Lagos, Enugu, Edo, and Kaduna, with civil rights groups and women’s organisations calling for her reinstatement.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has since dismissed a petition seeking her recall, stating it failed to meet constitutional requirements.
