One of Nigeria’s top politicians, Godswill Akpabio, denied allegations of sexual harassment caused by a senator.
Senate President Akpabio told Wednesday’s meeting that his late mother was very good and had never harassed any women.
In an interview with Arise on Friday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan claimed that Akpabio made inappropriate progress against her when visiting his residence in southern Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023.
She said Akpabio took her hand, took her around his house, and sexually assaulted her while her husband was walking behind them, chatting on the phone.
She further claimed that Akpabio had suggested on another occasion that she should “care for him” if she wanted her motion to be favorable in the Senate.
The senator claimed he behaved like a university lecturer and he always made his students refuse to sleep with him.
But this was denied by Akpabio.
He noted: “I have never harassed any woman. I have been raised by my late single mother and I have always insisted on respect for women. I have even been awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
This issue has sparked a huge debate in Nigeria, with many calling for an independent investigation.
Bukola Saraki said in a social media post, Akpabio’s ex and political rival, the questions raised were too serious to simply brush them off.
Earlier on Wednesday, two groups of protesters gathered in the parliamentary grounds in the capital Abuja – one supported Akpabio’s support and the other supported his colleagues chanting “Akpabio must go.”
Senator Uduhan used Wednesday’s plenary meeting to submit a formal petition requesting an investigation into Akpabio’s behavior.
As President, Akpabio allowed Uduaghan to continue and directed her petition to be forwarded to the Senate Code of Conduct, Ethics and Public Petition Committee.
Before becoming the Senate president less than two years ago, Akpabio was the oil-rich governor of Akwa Ibom for eight years and the Niger Delta Minister led by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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