A coalition of Delta State women has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, demanding an “unreserved apology” for what they describe as “sacrilegious” public comments directed at Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, wife of Delta-born businessman Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan.
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The Virtuous Women of Delta (VWD), in a strongly worded statement made available to The Guardian, accused Akpabio of “dragging [Akpoti-Uduaghan] through the mud” and violating cultural norms by allegedly referencing a “night club” during a recent dispute. Coordinator Eguolo Oghenekevwe, a deaconess, warned that failure to apologise would trigger protests at the National Assembly, invoking a symbolic threat to “match there naked” in defiance of tradition.
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“Our men are lions; they do not tolerate such desecration of a married woman,” the statement read. “Akpabio, being from our geopolitical zone, knows our traditions cannot be swept aside.” The group cited a prior incident where Akpabio reportedly apologised for similar remarks, urging him to “avoid repeating this affront to Delta’s dignity.”
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The dispute stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent dispute in the Senate, which the VWD condemned as humiliating.
The dispute, over seating arrangements, led to a heated exchange between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the senate leadership.
The controversy began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was relocated upon resumption of the session, but she, citing her reasons, refused to comply with the change.
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After a heated exchange, Akpabio ordered the sergeant at arms to walk her out of the Senate, but after the intervention from various lawmakers, calm was restored but she adamantly declined to move.
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