Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging that he blocked her legislative motions after she rejected his advances.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the claims during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, stating that her refusal to comply with Akpabio’s alleged requests led to persistent harassment and political retaliation.
According to her, the incident began on December 8, 2023, when she and her husband attended a pre-birthday gathering hosted by Akpabio at his residence in Uyo. Recounting the event, she said:
“He held my hand, took me around his house, and then asked, ‘Now that you are a Senator, are you going to create time for us to spend quality time here?’ Later, when I attempted to present a motion on corruption at Ajaokuta Steel Company, it was repeatedly blocked. When I confronted him, he told me, ‘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.’ I pretended I didn’t hear that.”
She further alleged that Akpabio orchestrated a seat reassignment in the Senate chamber as part of an effort to silence her.
“I was approached by a sergeant-at-arms and told that my seat had been changed by the Senate President. Some senators warned me that it was a trap,” she stated.
Akpabio’s Camp Dismisses Allegations
Reacting to the claims, Akpabio’s media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo, dismissed them as false, insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was simply bitter over her removal as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
“All that Senator Natasha said are tissues of lies. She is just angry because she was removed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content,” Okulogbo stated.
He added that the Senate President would issue an official statement on the matter soon.
The allegations have sparked debate within the political space, with observers watching closely for further developments