Leaked Tape: Analyst Urges Akpabio, Sandra Duru to Resolve Their Dispute as Natasha Stays Out

Public affairs analyst Teddy Onyejuwe has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and activist Sandra Duru, popularly known as Dr Prof Mgbeke, to resolve their differences themselves following the circulation of a leaked audio involving the pair.

Onyejuwe made the call in a statement on Monday, amid allegations contained in a recording released by Duru in which she claimed that Akpabio engaged her to campaign against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The development has revived the long-running dispute involving Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan and Duru. The latest recording features a male voice that Duru identified as Akpabio’s, but the authenticity of the audio, the identities of the voices and the full context of the conversation have not been independently verified.

Reacting to the controversy, Onyejuwe said the latest allegation should not draw Akpoti-Uduaghan further into a dispute between Akpabio and Duru.

“Whatever happened between Sandra Duru and Akpabio should now be addressed by the two of them,” he said.

He added that if an agreement existed between the two, those involved should explain it, while any claim of a conspiracy should be subjected to evidence and proper investigation.

“Duru and Akpabio should fight their own battle. Natasha should not be their ammunition,” Onyejuwe said.

The latest claims differ from allegations Duru made in 2025, when she accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of offering her N200 million to make false allegations against Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan denied the allegation and described Duru’s claims as false.

The dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier escalated after the senator accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office, allegations Akpabio has denied. Akpoti-Uduaghan was subsequently suspended by the Senate in 2025.

The latest audio has added another layer to the dispute, with Duru presenting it as part of further disclosures about her relationship with Akpabio. However, neither Akpabio nor his office had publicly confirmed or denied the authenticity or contents of the recording in the latest reports.

The controversy therefore remains centred on competing allegations and an unverified recording, with any definitive conclusions dependent on responses from the individuals involved and, potentially, independent examination of the audio.