Sexual Harassment Allegations Rock Senate’s Presidency As Akpoti-Uduaghan Speaks Out

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made a shocking allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, claiming that he has been punishing her for refusing his sexual advances.

In an interview on Arise TV, Akpoti-Uduaghan recounted how Akpabio’s behavior towards her changed after she rejected his proposition.

According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the issue began on December 8, 2023, when she and her husband visited Akwa Ibom for Akpabio’s birthday.

She alleged that Akpabio held her hands and suggested spending “special moments” together, which made her uncomfortable. Her husband reportedly warned her to avoid being alone with Akpabio.

The situation escalated when Akpabio repeatedly blocked her motion to investigate corrupt practices at Ajaokuta Steel Company.

Akpabio allegedly told her that she could “enjoy a whole lot” if she took care of him and made him happy.

Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that she has proof of their conversations, including WhatsApp screenshots, and that her husband can corroborate her allegations.

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She said: “My issue with Akpabio started on 8th of December, 2023 when myself and my husband visited Akwa Ibom for Senator Akpabio’s birthday. Akpabio was showing me around his house and was holding my hands with my husband following behind us when he said, he wants me to come and be spending special moments in his house. My husband heard him and later told me not to travel abroad alone or be with the Senate President alone.

“In February, I wanted to move a motion for the investigation on the ills of the corrupt practice in a Ajaokuta steel company. I listed that motion five times. It was the sixth time that it was listed on the order paper that was approved. Many senators can testify to that.

“Before the motion made the order paper, I went to the Senate President in his office, and I said, Senate President,’ you know how important this Ajaokuta Steel Company is to me, you know how important it is to my people and to Nigerians. I’ve noticed that you have stepped down this motion’. As a matter of fact, a number of senators told me to see him and plead with him so that he would take it. I was like, ‘sir, please, why can’t you take this motion? It’s very important’ Then, it was listed the third time and stepped down.

“He then said, ‘Natasha, I’m the Chief presiding officer of the Senate, you can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me. Make me happy’. At that point, I said, ‘Sir, I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear this’. He said, ‘well, the ball is in your court’. I left his office

“My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”

According to Daily Trust, Akpabio and Natasha recently had a disagreement after she found out that her seat in the Senate was moved without her permission.

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This led to a heated exchange, and she was later referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for review.

The committee, led by Senator Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo South), was given two weeks to present its findings.

Lawmakers revisited the issue, stressing the need to maintain order and respect within the Senate.