A coalition of civil society organisations led by Nigeria Integrity Watch has raised concerns over an alleged scheme to discredit Senate President Godswill Akpabio through orchestrated sexual harassment allegations and a coordinated disinformation campaign.
The group, in a formal alert issued on Thursday and signed by its National Convener, Dr John Nangi, claimed to have uncovered what it described as a “sophisticated conspiracy” aimed at damaging Akpabio’s reputation and destabilising democratic institutions in the country.
According to the statement, the plot allegedly involves several women being accommodated in a luxury hotel in Lagos, where they are said to be receiving instructions and coaching from individuals described as blackmailers. The purpose, the group alleged, is to concoct a new sexual harassment allegation implicating the Senate President.
The coalition further alleged that a senior appointee within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration and a former senator with a tarnished reputation are believed to be key actors in the plan.
It also claimed that a network of social media influencers, bloggers, and online content creators has been mobilised to amplify the misinformation and sway public sentiment against the Senate leadership.
“This orchestrated effort,” the statement said, “seeks to damage not only Akpabio’s image but also diminish the credibility of the Senate and weaken public confidence in the Nigerian government.”
Nigeria Integrity Watch called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to carry out thorough investigations and intervene promptly to prevent what it described as a destabilising agenda driven by “malicious propaganda.”
Dr Nangi cautioned that the alleged scheme, if allowed to proceed unchecked, could further erode public trust in national institutions and intensify political instability.
“This is not just an attack on an individual; it is an attack on our democracy. We must stand united against any attempts to undermine our nation’s leadership through deceit and manipulation,” he said.
He also pressed for vigilance within the media space and stronger collaboration among institutions to ensure that those responsible for such campaigns are exposed and held to account.
