Senate President Godswill Akpabio has opened up about the sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying the claims have not only affected him personally but also brought distress to the entire Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the PDP, accused Akpabio of victimizing her after she allegedly rejected his advances. The controversy escalated on March 6 when the Senate suspended her for six months, citing rule violations after her seat and committee assignments were changed.
Speaking at an event marking International Women’s Day, Akpabio dismissed the allegations, suggesting they were politically motivated and questioning why the claims only surfaced after the committee reshuffle.
“This supposed incident happened on December 8, a day before my birthday,” Akpabio stated. “From then until now, no one—including my wife, Nigerians, or even her husband—heard a word about it until her committee and seat were changed.”
He also pointed out that Akpoti-Uduaghan had made similar allegations against others in the past, none of which had been proven.
“Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman on the other people she has accused?” Akpabio asked. “Do you realize the damage this has done to the 10th Senate and its image with these baseless accusations?”
He further addressed female lawmakers present at the event, asking, “You have all interacted with me. Have I ever harassed any of you?”
This isn’t the first time Akpabio has faced such allegations. In 2020, Joi Nunieh, former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), also accused him of sexual harassment.
