Senate President Godswill Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the controversy sparks debate and investigation in the Nigerian Senate.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has firmly denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that he has never harassed any woman. The allegations, which surfaced following a seat rearrangement controversy in the Senate, have fueled public debate and led to an official investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
Speaking during the Senate plenary session on Wednesday, Akpabio addressed the accusations, which had been widely discussed on social media. “At no time did I ever harass any woman,” he stated, emphasizing that he was raised by a single mother and has always upheld respect for women. He also noted that he had previously been recognized as the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.
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Akpabio further mentioned that since February 25, he had been inundated with calls regarding the allegations and urged Nigerians to refrain from making premature judgments. He insisted that due process should be followed and called on the public to wait for the court’s decision on the matter.
However, shortly after his remarks, Akpoti-Uduaghan officially presented a petition under Order 40 of the Senate rules, formally accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. She requested that the Senate accept her petition for consideration. In response, the Senate referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for a thorough investigation.
The controversy stems from an incident in February when a seat rearrangement in the Senate led to a heated exchange between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan. This disagreement has since escalated, creating noticeable tension within the legislative chamber. During the Wednesday’s session, Akpoti-Uduaghan took her newly assigned seat but refused to stand when Akpabio entered the chamber, a departure from the traditional show of respect to the presiding officer. This act underscored the strained relations between the two lawmakers and further intensified public interest in the case.
