In the wake of the recent tussle between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Nigerians have called on senators to urge Akpabio to step down temporarily to allow for an impartial investigation.
This surge in public opinion follows comments made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during a recent interview.
Senator Natasha leveled serious allegations against Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment and subsequent victimization
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, the Kogi Central senator recounted the alleged incident, which she said took place in December, a day before both their birthdays.
She claimed that during a visit to Akpabio’s residence in Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023, he made inappropriate advances towards her, even in the presence of her husband
“It all started the day before his birthday and my birthday because we are birthday mates. We were all in Akwa Ibom. At first, we were in his house at Ikot Ekpene. Then we all went to his house in Uyo. He held my hands, walking around from room to room, and he showed me the beautiful interiors. He got to this particular sitting room and asked me if I liked his house. I said, of course, sir, every room is beautiful, Quality taste. He said, Now that you are a senator, I am going to create time for us to come create quality moments here. You will enjoy it.’ At that point, I just pulled away because I didn’t understand what he meant,” she said.
She further alleged that her husband later warned her against traveling alone or visiting the Senate President’s residence.
She also claimed that Akpabio obstructed her motion for an investigation into corruption at the Ajaokuta Steel Company, delaying its approval on multiple occasions.
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Akpoti-Uduaghan further alleged that her refusal of these advances has led to ongoing punitive actions by Akpabio, including obstructing her motions in the Senate and attempting to reassign her to a less favorable seat.
“I listed that motion five times. It was the sixth time that it got approved. Anytime the motion is listed, just before he takes it, he will say, ‘Oh, Senator Natasha, we can’t take this motion because the good of the Senate does not accommodate it,’ or he will speak on others and just let it drag,” she alleged.
According to her, when she confronted Akpabio about the delays, he responded, “Natasha, I am the chief presiding officer. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.”
She said she refused to acknowledge the statement, but he replied, “The ball is in your court.”
Her allegations come amid a recent confrontation in the Senate chamber. Last Thursday, Akpabio ordered sergeants-at-arms to remove her from the chamber after she resisted relocating to a new seat assigned to her following the defection of two opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
These allegations have ignited public outcry, with many netizens demanding Akpabio’s immediate resignation pending a thorough investigation.
A Twitter user, Serah Ibrahim, reacting to the comments, said, “Listen to Senator Natasha on AriseTV narrating how Senate President Akpabio told her to ‘take care of him and make him happy’ inside his office before he would read her motion in the Senate. The Senators need to call for Akpabio to step down immediately until investigations are done. I expect PDP to move this motion and do the needful.”
Another netizen who tweeted as @owerri1stson wrote, “Akpabio should resign with immediate effect. He is a shàme. Worst so far.”
“Akpabio should step down with immediate effect for proper investigation and fairness in managing the allegation,” another Twitter user said.
Another Nigerian who tweeted as @ela commented, “Rule of law is dead in this country under APC Tinubu, so there will be no stepping down. Betta Edu is still chopping away as we speak. Yahaya Bello is enjoying his life, and so are Hadi Sirika and Bubu despite their atrocities.”
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