Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Accuses Senate President Godswill Akpabio of Sexual Harassment; He Denies Allegations
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Accuses Senate President Godswill Akpabio of Sexual Harassment
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, claiming he has persistently frustrated her legislative efforts after she rejected his advances.
Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio deliberately blocked her motions from being heard on the Senate floor as retaliation.
According to her, the ordeal began during a pre-birthday gathering at Akpabio’s residence in Uyo on December 8, 2023, which she attended with her husband.
"Take Care of Me and Make Me Happy" – Akpoti-Uduaghan Alleges
Recounting the incident, the senator said Akpabio took her on a private tour of his house, holding her hand and leading her into a sitting room.
She quoted him as saying:
"Now that you are a Senator, you are going to create time for us to spend quality time here, and you will enjoy it."
She further alleged that Akpabio used his position to frustrate her efforts in the Senate.
"I attempted to raise a motion on corruption at the Ajaokuta Steel Company five times. Each time, it was blocked. When I finally confronted the Senate President, 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 chose to pretend I didn’t hear that."
Describing her experience, she likened it to a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.
Senate Seat Change Drama
Akpoti-Uduaghan also revealed that she was suddenly informed by a sergeant-at-arms that her Senate seat had been relocated by Akpabio, an act that some senators allegedly warned her was a trap.
Determined to resist, she invoked Order 10—a procedural rule that allows a senator to seek redress when their rights are being breached—before Akpabio could announce her suspension. However, she claims the Senate President refused to let her speak.
Akpabio’s Camp Responds: "Tissues of Lies"
Reacting to the allegations, Kenny Okulogbo, media consultant to the Senate President, dismissed them as "tissues of lies."
He suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan was simply bitter over her removal as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
"All that Senator Natasha said is completely false. She is only making these claims because she was removed as Committee Chairman," Okulogbo said in an interview with PUNCH Online.
The Fallout & Public Reaction
The allegations have sparked controversy, with many calling for an independent investigation. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the Senate chambers, awaiting the next move from both parties.
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