On Saturday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate, stating that her actions had caused significant trauma to him and others in the Senate. Akpabio, who has faced intense criticism following the Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, denied the allegations of sexual harassment made by the Kogi Central Senator.
The suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has sparked outrage among various opposition parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has been accused of creating a toxic political environment, particularly for women. These critics have warned against the negative impact such actions could have on women’s participation in politics.
In his remarks during an event to commemorate International Women’s Day, Akpabio defended himself, saying that he had become the latest target of unfounded allegations from Akpoti-Uduaghan. He pointed out that her accusations only surfaced after a change in her seat and committee assignments within the Senate, which is a common occurrence in the legislative body. Akpabio expressed concern that such allegations, which had no basis, could tarnish the image of the Senate and cause unnecessary trauma to the individuals involved.
He also referenced the previous accusations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, suggesting that none of them had been proven true. Akpabio further questioned the motivations behind these allegations, expressing his frustration with the negative impact they were having on the Senate’s reputation.
During his speech, Akpabio also took a moment to emphasize his respectful treatment of women, highlighting the numerous women he has encountered in his career without any inappropriate behavior. He asked his audience to consider whether he had ever harassed anyone, implying that the allegations against him were baseless.
Akpabio's remarks come amid growing political tensions and debates regarding the handling of the allegations and the broader implications for gender dynamics in Nigerian politics.
