Rebuttal trail alleged threat by Suspended Senator Natasha against Tinubu’s Govt
The ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over sexual harassment allegations took a new turn over the weekend, following fresh rebuttals from journalist and gender advocate, Mrs. Francess Olisa-Ogbonnaya.
Olisa-Ogbonnaya dismissed recent claims by UK-based social media influencer Sandra Duru, known online as “Professor Mgbeke,” who alleged that Senator Natasha threatened to topple what she called the “Yoruba Government” led by President Bola Tinubu.
She also rejected Duru’s accusation that Natasha paid former Minister of Education and ex-World Bank Vice President, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, to stir unrest during a parliamentary probe into the harassment allegations against Akpabio.
In an interview with social media host Adeola Fayehun, Olisa-Ogbonnaya questioned the logic behind the claims, asking how a single minority senator from Kogi State could realistically destabilize President Tinubu’s government.
She said; “I was shocked when I heard her saying in the audio that Senator Natasha threatened to bring down a Yoruba Government. Why didn’t she put out that audio? Because nothing like that happened in the audio she (Duru) played for me.
“So, it was really baffling hearing her say Natasha said she bought Dr Oby Ezekwesili or that Nigerians are hungry and gullible. If that audio is anything to go by, what I heard from the original one she sent was Natasha sounding excited that she was supporting her and talking about her life, how she grew up and how she struggled in politics to get to where she is, while thanking her for her efforts. So, where on earth did Sandra get ‘I will bring down Yoruba Government’?
“Okay, you want to expose someone and you are writing a script, like a movie script? You got a musician to produce a song? Is it not showing that you are up to something?
“She now sent me a script to produce for her but I looked at the things she sent and they were defamatory. So, I worked on the audio, got one of my staff to voice it and we removed the defamatory aspects. That was what made me decide to talk. How do you think Senator Natasha would say she wants to bring down a Yoruba Government? A Kogi person is a minority in Nigeria. An Egbira person is a minority. They don’t have alliances like that. Sometimes, they are more tilted to the Yoruba. So, how will she (Natasha) say she wants to bring down a Yoruba Government? She didn’t say it. I challenge Sandra to release our phone conversations where she was also explaining to me her plans. That is where you will know that the woman (Natasha) didn’t say that. Sandra can claim anything. She once told me she made Rochas governor of Imo state” she stated.
In a prompt rebuttal, Sandra Duru dismissed the criticism from Francess Olisa-Ogbonnaya, insisting she remains focused and undeterred in her mission.
Duru described Olisa-Ogbonnaya’s remarks as “laughable, petty, and embarrassingly weak,” claiming they were a feeble attempt to distort the truth.
“Don’t mistake my silence for ignorance or my kindness for weakness,” she said, emphasizing her resolve.
She defended the controversial documentary at the center of the dispute, calling it “a factual exposé grounded in truth, supported by forensic evidence, and driven by courage.”
Duru added that the voiceover was performed by a young woman from her list of beneficiaries, selected by her South Eastern media team.
“She was paid. Her work was substandard. A refund was rightfully requested. Simple. Prior to this, she, like many others, benefited from my Easter charity. That is my norm, not a favor.
“Francess (Olisa-Ogbonnaya) was briefly exposed to snippets featuring Umoren, Oby, and Patoranking, which are already available in the public domain. There was no secret. Just her twisted interpretation of what she doesn’t understand.
“Adeola, go tell your Natasha: your circus is tired. Your distractions are stale. I will not be moved. I am documented, defended, and determined”, she stated.
