By Sandra C. Duru
International Women’s Day is in one day. Usually, I celebrate many women who have excelled in their careers or added remarkable value to their lives and communities. However, this year I have chosen to celebrate one woman in particular. A woman who stood firmly behind her husband when he was dragged into the public square by LIETASHA and almost crucified in the court of public opinion and on social media. Without any shred of evidence to support the allegations against her husband, he was hated, judged and humiliated.
I am sure that a lot of you are not aware that shock, pain, shame, anger, heartbreak and grief can kill a man or give him a stroke. The reputational damage was too much.
Infact, I was Pro Natasha at first because I have zero tolerance for sexual harassment, gender discrimination, intimidation and abuse of power. I even wrote an article where I hit hard on Mrs Akpabio and the Senate President. Up till today, I have deliberately not deleted that “HOT” post because I am a realist. One day it will serve its purpose, both in court and during the launch of PTS, to pass a powerful message about the EVIDENTIAL POWER OF WORDS.
Again, I learnt something from my mother in-law that when at war, spare nobody. Use everything including words to destroy your opponent and own up to it and take responsibility for your actions. “Ana’aghi acho onu nma na ogu”, meaning you do not care about hurting anyone you are at war with and it is allowed.
But today, I want to withdraw those words and tell you that the beauty of a woman is not in the cosmetics or the face foundation or the makeup she applies to cover up her demonic heart. We all saw how LIETASHA appears like a sweet angel with her deceitful smiles but a destroyer of homes, destinies and careers, right? That is not beauty. That is evil packed in one body of a destructive woman.
Today, I want to celebrate Mrs Akpabio, the naturally beautiful black woman who was dragged into a mess she knew nothing about. Her lovely children were bullied, abused and humiliated. I tell you that words cannot describe what this woman went through with her children psychologically, emotionally and otherwise.
When I finally made a U-turn after discovering the new truth, and after that phone call from Natasha Akpoti in the month of March 2025, I made a deliberate decision. I boldly shielded Mrs Akpabio and her children from the stage and strategically repositioned myself to TAKE THE BULLETS for them.
The attacks came from every direction, but my mental toughness withstood them. I was trained from an early age to develop the strength of mind required of an aspiring world leader and a strong woman, and that training prepared me for moments like this.
I have never met Mrs Akpabio or her family, and I have never met Senator Akpabio either. Yet I chose to take up this battle as a civic responsibility to expose the lies and confront the false accusations, the orchestrated attacks against Senator Akpabio, the propaganda, the gender weaponization, and the calculated media manipulation. That decision almost cost me my life. But to God be the glory that today Senator Godswill Akpabio did not lose his mind, did not lose his seat, did not lose his beautiful wife, and his family remains intact and safe.
Sometimes we may have money, power and influence, yet they can become completely USELESS in the face of certain storms. There are moments when none of these can truly protect us. In such times, what makes the difference is when a brave man or woman finds the courage to stand up, speak the truth and confront the enemies and oppressors who seek to destroy us.
Akpabio is blessed with power and everything that comes with it, yet there was a moment when he was completely HELPLESS as Natasha Akpoti sought to destroy him with LIES. Even though many people around him knew the truth and knew he was innocent, they were too afraid to speak up against his oppressors. Some feared losing friends, political allies, influence, or their reputation. They were afraid of consequences that I was simply NOT afraid of.
The sponsored attacks on my credibility, character, integrity, reputation and even my career and businesses were relentless and intense. My children were not spared from the cruelty. Yet I refused to be broken. I fought back deliberately, strategically and intelligently.
I will leave the rest of the story to the documentary and the book on my journey and experience with “Akpo Akpa.” While it is written with a comedic storytelling style, it is layered with profound lessons and insights that can strengthen and guide our families. I know that the Senate President, Stella Okotete, Nsima, Joi, Oby Ndukwe, Emeka of NNDC, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Amaechi, Seyi, and others will be stunned by the verified information I have at my disposal, complete with pictures, videos, and detailed timelines. Yet I will carefully filter what I share, so that in exposing the truth, I do not break homes or shatter hearts.
For now, let us set all that aside and celebrate the woman who endured a brutal attack for which she was completely innocent, yet stood firmly by her husband despite his shortcomings and mistakes. While Akpabio is innocent of Natasha’s allegations, he is by no means a saint and that makes her loyalty and courage all the more remarkable.
This is a powerful lesson for every woman out there. Never allow anyone to BREAK YOUR HOME or DESTROY YOUR HUSBAND. Stand firm, protect your family, and defend what is sacred with courage and conviction.
On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate a woman of strength, dignity and quiet resilience. A woman who stood when the storm was fiercest. A woman who protected her home and her children with grace.
To Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio, your courage did not scream, it stood firm. Your grace did not fight with noise, it endured with dignity. Your loyalty reminds the world that the strength of a home is often the quiet woman who refuses to abandon it when darkness falls.
You are truly a Black Beauty, not only in appearance but in heart, strength and character.
Happy International Women’s Day to you, and to every good woman who stands by truth, by family and by love even in the darkest moments.
