Natasha’s harassment allegation aimed at removing Akpabio as Senate President — COCSON

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) has described the sexual harassment allegation against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a calculated political attack aimed at removing Akpabio as Senate President.

Speaking at a world press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Segun Okeowo, COCSON Director, described the allegations as a false sexual harassment allegation, adding that the allegation is nothing more than a politically motivated attack aimed at tarnishing Akpabio’s reputation and destabilizing the Senate leadership.

“This baseless accusation, orchestrated by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is not an isolated incident but part of a broader scheme by anti-APC forces who see Akpabio’s cordial relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a threat to their selfish ambitions.

“We are not surprised by this latest falsehood, as it follows a familiar script used by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the past. She has previously made unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment against prominent figures, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and public affairs commentator Reno Omokri, none of which were proven to be true.

“This repeated pattern of using false sexual harassment claims for political gain and media attention is alarming. Her latest accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is another desperate attempt to discredit a respected leader who has shown unwavering commitment to national stability and governance.

“We, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), Tinubu/Shettima Support Movement (TSSM), and Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora (NPID), hereby declare our full and unwavering support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio.”

Also speaking, Alhaji Tijani Ali Danjuma, National Coordinator of TSSM, noted that the bodies firmly believe the accusation is a calculated political attack aimed at removing Senator Akpabio as Senate President because of his strong support for President Tinubu’s policies.

“Here are the key reasons why her claims lack credibility: Suspicious Timing of the Allegation: Why did she wait until after her Senate seat was reassigned before making this claim? If she truly experienced harassment, why didn’t she report it when it allegedly happened? Her sudden accusation is clearly a retaliatory move to punish Akpabio.

“Instead of pursuing a sexual harassment lawsuit, she chose to sue Akpabio’s aide over a press statement. This shows that her real objective is media attention, not justice.

“No Witnesses or Evidence: There are no eyewitness accounts, no security reports, and no CCTV footage to back her claims. In a highly secured environment like the Senate, such an incident could not have gone unnoticed.”
On his part, Dr. Obiora Okereke, President of NPID, called on the authorities to carry out a full-scale investigation into the false allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, maintaining that she must either provide concrete evidence or face legal consequences for defamation.

He said, “Nigerians reject this culture of media trials and character assassination. The media must also exercise caution and verify facts before amplifying baseless claims.”