Akpabio, Natasha face-off goes dirty as allegation of sexual harassment emerges

• HURIWA Asks Akpabio To Step Aside, Face ICPC Investigation
• Kingibe Carpets Kogi Senator Over Claims Of Witch-hunt

The face-off between the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and the senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, degenerated on Friday when the later alleged that her feud with Akpabio began when she declined sexual advances made to her in 2023 by Akpabio.

At an appearance on Arise TV’s ‘Morning Show’, Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed that in December 2023, the Senate President invited her to his private residence in Akwa Ibom State for his birthday celebration.

She said that during the visit, which was also witnessed by her husband, Akpabio asked her to spend “quality time with him” so she could enjoy some privileges as a first-time senator.

“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; then he held my hands, walking around from room to room; 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, beautiful taste’. And he said, ‘Now 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,” Uduaghan alleged.

Following her allegation, the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) said Akpabio must present himself for a comprehensive investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) over Natasha’s allegation.

The National Coordination of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said: “Senate President Godswill Akpabio should give his own side of the story and then since this is a very serious allegation, the Senate President should step aside temporarily and submit himself to investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission to ascertain the validity or otherwise of it.

“Alternatively, let Senators Natasha and Akpabio submit themselves to a lie-detector examination to be conducted by a foreign consultant. This allegation is too weighty to be swept under the carpets of impunity. Matters that border on sexual violations and alleged harassment must be forensically and extensively investigated as a way of protecting equality of rights.”

Natasha’s revelation is the latest twist in her travails with the Akpabio-led Senate, which has already instituted a Parliamentary investigation against her.

Last Wednesday, the Senate directed its committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to investigate alleged breach of Senate’s code of conduct by Natasha.

It would be recalled that last Thursday, the face-off produced a heated session when Akpabio ordered sergeants-at-arms to remove Natasha from the chamber.

Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, had on that day informed Akpabio that Akpoti-Uduaghan had refused to move to a new seat assigned to her, following the defection of two opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Monguno, citing Orders 24 and 6, asserted that it was within the Senate President’s discretion to reassign senators’ seats.

He further argued that a senator could only speak from their designated seats and that Akpabio had the authority to bar contributions from an unassigned position.

Although the committee is yet to formally invite her, Natasha has requested that the investigative session be broadcast live to Nigerians.