Journalist and activist Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike has publicly alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is the political and financial backer of self-proclaimed activist Sandra Duru, widely known as “Prof Mgbeke.”
Appearing on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube program, Obinna claimed that Duru is spearheading a coordinated media campaign to silence and discredit critics of the Senate President.
According to Obinna, Duru privately admitted that her activism was being supported by Akpabio’s wife. He also revealed that he was paid ₦2.5 million by Duru to create a video series aimed at smearing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
However, he said suspicions arose when he noticed inconsistencies in her statements and the content she requested.
“It became clear that the real objective was political blackmail,” Obinna said. He refuted Duru’s claims, including her assertion that Senator Natasha privately dismissed allegations of sexual misconduct against Akpabio, and her accusation that Dr. Oby Ezekwesili was bribed to appear before a Senate panel.
Obinna emphasized that the circulated audio did not support Duru’s narrative and described her tactics as emotionally manipulative and factually unsubstantiated.
Obinna characterized the campaign as an effort to shield Akpabio from accountability while undermining female leaders and activists who challenge him. He warned that the strategy relies heavily on misinformation and targeted personal attacks.
These allegations add to ongoing scrutiny of Sandra Duru’s connections to political elites. Frances Ogbonnaya, a previous whistleblower, had hinted at Duru’s ties to powerful figures, though she did not name anyone specifically. Obinna’s revelations now place Senator Akpabio directly at the center of the controversy.
