Senator Natasha Accuses Senate President Godswill Akpabio Of Sexual Harassment
In a shocking revelation, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The allegations, aired during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, have sparked controversy within Nigeria’s political circles. Akpabio, through his media consultant Kenny Okulogbo, has vehemently denied the claims, dismissing them as baseless.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the Senate President made inappropriate advances towards her, which she rejected, leading to what she described as persistent harassment and professional sabotage. She recounted a specific incident on 8 December 2023, when she and her husband attended a pre-birthday event at Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. She claimed that Akpabio took her by the hand to show her around his home, leaving her husband behind momentarily. During this tour, she alleged, he suggested they spend “quality time” together now that she was a senator.
“My issue with Akpabio started that day,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “He held my hand, hastened his pace, and brought me to a sitting room. He asked if I liked his house, and when I said yes, he told me I’d enjoy spending time there with him.”
The Kogi lawmaker further alleged that her rejection of Akpabio’s advances led to retaliatory actions in her professional capacity. She claimed that her motions, particularly one addressing corrupt practices at the Ajaokuta Steel Company, were repeatedly blocked from being heard on the Senate floor. “I listed this motion five times, and it only appeared on the order paper on the sixth attempt,” she explained. When she confronted Akpabio about the delays, she alleged he responded, “Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.” She said she rebuffed him, pretending not to hear his remarks.
Akpoti-Uduaghan likened her experience to “a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” highlighting what she perceives as a misuse of power. She also claimed that her Senate seat was inexplicably changed, a move she described as a “trap” warned about by fellow senators. When she attempted to invoke Order 10—an emergency measure for senators whose rights are breached—Akpabio allegedly prevented her from speaking, further escalating tensions.
In response, Kenny Okulogbo, Akpabio’s media consultant, dismissed the accusations as “tissues of lies.” He suggested that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations stemmed from her removal as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, implying her claims were motivated by resentment rather than truth. “She is just angry because she lost her position,” Okulogbo stated.
The allegations have ignited debate about power dynamics and gender in Nigerian politics, with many awaiting further developments. Neither side has indicated plans to escalate the matter legally at this stage, but the controversy is likely to cast a shadow over the Senate’s proceedings in the coming weeks.
As of now, the public and political observers remain divided, with some calling for an investigation into the claims, while others question the timing and motive behind the accusations. The Senate has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
