Journalist and activist Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is the political and financial backer of a self-proclaimed female activist accused of spreading false allegations against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

During an interview on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube show, Obinna claimed the activist was engaged in a coordinated smear campaign targeting individuals critical of the Senate President. He stated that the activist had confided in him that her efforts were being sponsored by Akpabio’s wife.

Obinna revealed he was paid ₦2.5 million by the activist to create videos aimed at tarnishing Senator Natasha’s reputation. However, he said inconsistencies in her story and requests made him suspect a larger agenda of blackmail and character assassination.

“As I investigated further, it became clear the project was a deliberate effort to defame Senator Natasha,” Obinna said, pointing out that the activist’s narrative was full of fabrications — including a false claim that Natasha had privately dismissed allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.

Obinna also refuted the activist’s allegation that Dr. Oby Ezekwesili had been bribed to appear before a Senate committee, calling it baseless.

He argued that the broader objective of the campaign was to shield Akpabio from criticism while undermining women leaders and civil society figures who held him accountable. Obinna condemned the use of emotional manipulation and misinformation to sway public perception.

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about the activist’s ties to influential figures. Frances Ogbonnaya, an earlier whistleblower, had previously suggested that the activist was acting under the protection of powerful politicians, though she stopped short of naming anyone specifically.