Alleged sexual harassment: Akpabio’s wife threatens to sue Senator Natasha

The wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, has strongly refuted allegations of sexual harassment made against her husband, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti.

The accusations surfaced during a televised interview and have sparked widespread debate.

Speaking to journalists, Mrs. Akpabio described the claims as baseless and a fabrication, emphasising the longstanding cordial relationship between their families.

She asserted that she was present at their residence on the alleged date of the incident, December 8, 2023, and dismissed the accusation as false.

Highlighting her husband’s reputation, she praised Senator Akpabio as a disciplined man who has consistently advocated for women’s inclusion in government, even before becoming Senate President.

Mrs. Akpabio cautioned against making false allegations, warning that such claims could damage reputations and distract from critical national issues. She vowed to take legal action to protect her family’s integrity.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central on Friday alleged that she was being punished by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, because she refused his sexual advances.

Natasha said this days after a drama ensued between her and Akpabio over seating arrangements in the Senate chambers.

READ ALSO: Senator Kingibe slams Natasha for accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment

“In February, I wanted to move a motion for the investigation on the ills of the corrupt practice in an 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,” she said during the interview.

“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.”