Akpabio: Senator Natasha Denounces Duru’s Claims In Viral Video As False, Manipulated

Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distanced herself from the claims made by one Sandra Duru in a viral Facebook video on May 1, 2025, describing them as “entirely untrue” and “most manipulated.”

In a statement issued to journalists on Friday in Abuja, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said the Facebook livestream, which included audio elements purporting to feature her voice, was doctored to serve what she termed the “ulterior motive” of Duru, allegedly acting in concert with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“The content of the livestream including the voice effect credited to me are entirely untrue, and most manipulated to serve Sandra Duru’s ulterior motive of playing the script of Senator Godswill Akpabio,” she said.

Reacting to specific utterances in the video, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan firmly denied making derogatory remarks against prominent figures such as Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Dr. Abiola Akiyode, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and other Nigerians, who were described in the video as “gullible and hungry.”

“To the best of my knowledge, those words… are crazy falsehood and did not emanate from the natural cause of any contact involving me,” the female Senator said.

She further revealed that her recent findings linked Sandra Duru to a previously known Facebook persona known “Prof. Mgbeke,” raising questions about identity manipulation and intent behind the controversial broadcast.

While noting that she would issue a detailed response “in the nearest of time,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the public to disregard the contents of the livestream and warned against the spread of misinformation.