RismadarVoice Reporters
September 20, 2026
A fresh controversy has emerged in the long-running dispute involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and US-based activist Sandra Duru, popularly known as Prof. Mgbeke.
Duru released a purported nine-minute audio recording on social media in which she alleged that Akpabio engaged her to campaign against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The claim represents a reversal of Duru’s earlier position in 2025, when she alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had offered her ₦200 million to make damaging allegations against Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan denied that allegation.
Duru said the latest recording was only a preview of further disclosures concerning her relationship with Akpabio and the wider dispute. She also released excerpts containing a male voice whom she identified as Akpabio discussing political developments involving former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Senator Ned Nwoko.
However, the authenticity of the recording, the identities of the voices and the full context of the conversation have not been independently verified.
Neither Akpabio nor his office had confirmed or denied the recording’s contents.
The controversy dates back to 2025, when Duru made allegations against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what her lawyers described as a coordinated campaign against her.
Attempts by the journalists to obtain a response from Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, were unsuccessful. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s media aide, Mike Idoko, also declined to comment.
