A United States-based women’s advocate, Stella Okengwu, has alleged that there is a gang-up against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the Nigerian Senate following her sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Okengwu made the statement while reacting to events during Wednesday’s plenary, where Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition was dismissed as “dead on arrival” by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The Kogi Central senator had submitted the petition on Tuesday, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of her legislative functions. However, Akpabio has denied the allegations.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Okengwu described the situation as “repugnant” and called for an independent investigation.
She also urged Akpabio to step aside while the matter is investigated, stating that sexual harassment claims should be taken seriously.
Okengwu stated, “It seems as if our Senate ganged against Natasha. My own advice to the Senate President, I think for the fact that Natasha is accusing him of sexual harassment what he supposed to do recuse himself.
“Heshould stand aside. She said she has a prove, they should allow her to bring out the proof. I remembered Dino Melaye and wife of the President’s case that Dino said I can impregnate you. That’s sexualising. What’s Nigeria turning into? 95 percent of women have gone through sexual abuse but they cannot talk.
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“This is because if they talk, how are they going to listen to them? How would you know that someone has to sexually abuse you? Some people will tell you to bring evidence, what evidence accepts it is planned? What we expect is for the Senate President to step aside and allow this investigation to go on. Nobody is above the law,” she added.
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