The allegation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, yesterday, caused a stir in the polity.
Described by some as national embarrassment that should be probed by some stakeholders, wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, however took a swipe at Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying that her husband is disciplined.
Calling the Kogi Central, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, a liar, Mrs Akpabio threatened to sue the lawmaker over the allegations.
Natasha, who had a spat with the Senate President over relocation of her seat in the Senate Chamber, had in a television interview on Arise television, yesterday, claimed her issue with Akpabio started on December 8, 2023, when she and her husband attended a pre-birthday invitation extended by the Senate President at his residence in Uyo.
“We had earlier gone to his house at Ikot-Ekpene, and he held my hand and said he wanted to show me around his house. I noticed he hastened his pace while still holding my hand, and he got to this particular sitting room.
“He asked ‘do you like my house?’ and I replied, ‘of course yes,’ and he said, ‘now that you are a Senator, you are going to create time for us to spend quality time here and you will enjoy it’.
“Later, on the floor of the Senate, I attempted to raise a motion regarding corrupt practices at the Ajaokuta Steel Company. I listed this motion five times, and it was only on the sixth occasion that it appeared on the order paper. When I approached the Senate President to inquire as to why my motion had been repeatedly stepped down, 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.’ At that point, I told him that I would pretend I didn’t hear that. My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”
It’s a figment of her imagination — Mrs Akpabio
Speaking to Journalists yesterday, Ekaette said that her husband, Senator Godswill Akpabio is a disciplined and jovial man.
Mrs. Akpabio recounted the cordial relationship between her family and Senator Natasha’s family and dismissed the allegations as a figment of wild imaginations.
She further maintained that the allegations are unfounded, as she was present at her family residence on the alleged date 8th December, 2023. Stating that both families enjoy a long-standing cordial relationship that predates Senator Natasha’s marriage.
Mrs. Akpabio praised her husband’s discipline as a man, who loves and respects his family, cited his track record of supporting women’s inclusion in government even before his emergence as Senate President.
She urged women to desist from peddling such false allegations, and vowed to seek legal redress on the matter.
It’s a national embarrassment —Sagay
Commenting on the issue, former Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, described it as a national embarrassment.
According to Sagay “That is her opinion but it is an embarrassment. It is a very serious embarrassment given the position of Senator Godswill Akpabio in our political setup.
“In developed societies like Western Europe, the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, he would have been asked to step down but have we developed to that level? I don’t know.
“In some states in Nigeria, sexual harassment is now a crime.I don’t know the law in Abuja but I know of some states.
Certainly, this is an embarrassment and we just have to watch how it develops.”
Harassment or intimidation should not be tolerated — Odumakin
In her reaction, the President of Women Arise, Dr Joe Odumakin said the allegations of sexual harassment should be taken seriously.
Odumakin, who is also the President of the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation, OOF, insisted that a thorough investigation should be conducted to uncover the truth.
She said: “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is a serious allegation that requires attention and investigation. According to her, the alleged sexual harassment occurred during a visit to Akpabio’s country home in Akwa Ibom, where he reportedly made inappropriate advances towards her.
“This accusation is not the first time Akpabio has faced allegations of sexual harassment. In 2020, Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, claimed she slapped Akpabio for sexually harassing her.
“It’s essential to note that Akpabio has denied these allegations, and some South-South leaders have described the relationship between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan as cordial, dismissing the allegations as ‘wicked and malicious’.
“However, it’s crucial to take allegations of sexual harassment seriously and ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to uncover the truth. The Nigerian Senate should prioritize creating a safe and respectful environment for all members, and any form of harassment or intimidation should not be tolerated.”
Women group knocks Akpabio
On its part, the Ojo Women Action for Political Actualisation, canvassed support for Senator Natasha
According to the convener, Oluyomi Coker, Akpabio should be reminded that he is a son of a woman, a brother to a woman, a husband to a woman, and possibly a father to a woman, and should therefore be sensitive and just while dealing with the female gender.
Coker called on the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to rise up and speak against anti-female excesses.
