Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made a startling accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that he made persistent sexual advances toward her. In a dramatic revelation on Arise News’ ‘The Morning Show,’ the Kogi Central Senator claimed that Akpabio’s alleged harassment was a key factor behind the hostility she faces in the Senate.
Responding to the allegations, the Senate President’s wife, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, dismissed the claims as baseless, labeling them a product of wild imagination. She emphasized that both families had maintained a cordial relationship, asserting that her husband has a long-standing record of supporting women in leadership.
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ActionAid Nigeria Country Director Andrew Mamedu have called for an independent probe, warning against dismissing the allegations outright. They underscored the importance of addressing such claims with transparency and due process.
Akpoti-Uduaghan detailed how Akpabio allegedly made advances, often calling her late at night, prompting her to put the calls on speaker for her husband to hear. She further alleged that during a visit to Akpabio’s residence in Uyo on December 8, 2023, he made suggestive remarks while giving her a tour of his home, in the presence of her husband. According to her, the Senate President expressed intentions of spending “quality moments” with her, a statement she found unsettling.
The embattled senator also addressed her ongoing confrontations with the Senate leadership, alleging she was warned to stop challenging Akpabio or risk facing severe political consequences. She likened her ordeal to that of a female student resisting a lecturer’s inappropriate advances, insisting she would not compromise her integrity despite alleged victimization.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also pushed back against corruption allegations brought against her by a Northern youth group, which had petitioned the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Public Petitions, and Code of Conduct. She claimed the petition was orchestrated by those who sought to force her into sharing committee funds for personal enrichment. She revealed that when N950,000 was deposited into her committee’s account, she was pressured to distribute it among committee members, a demand she refused, opting instead to use the funds for official operations.
Adding another layer to the controversy, the lawmaker disclosed that her refusal to engage in the usual financial dealings had placed her at odds with entrenched interests within the Senate. She stood by her decision, insisting that public funds should be used solely for legislative functions and not personal gain.
The senator also touched on the Senate seating arrangement controversy, stating that she was blindsided by a directive relocating her to a different seat without prior notification. She described the move as another form of victimization, questioning why such decisions were made without transparency.
In a counter-response, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT, criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s approach, stating that the seating issue was being unnecessarily sensationalized. Kingibe argued that Senate rules should be followed and that several other senators, including men, had been relocated without raising concerns. She suggested that women in the Senate chose to remain silent on the matter to avoid public disputes.
As tensions continue to rise over these explosive allegations, calls for an independent investigation into the matter are growing. The unfolding saga is casting a shadow over the Senate, raising concerns about power dynamics, accountability, and the treatment of female lawmakers within the legislative arm of government.
