Natasha, Akpabio trade words over sexual harassment claim

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Friday accused Senate President Godswill  Akpabio of sexual harassment and victimisation. But Akpabio has denied the allegations through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo. This is as the Senate President’s wife, Ekaette Akpabio, has also come out to defend her husband against the allegations, threatening to sue Senator Natasha. Speaking in an […]

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Friday accused Senate President Godswill  Akpabio of sexual harassment and victimisation.

But Akpabio has denied the allegations through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo.

This is as the Senate President’s wife, Ekaette Akpabio, has also come out to defend her husband against the allegations, threatening to sue Senator Natasha.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, the Kogi Central senator recounted the alleged incident, which she said took place in December, a day before Akpabio’s birthday.

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She said, “It all started the day before his birthday and my birthday because we are birthday mates. We were all in Akwa Ibom because he had a big fanfare in the stadium. I was there with my husband. At first, we were in his house at Ikot Ekpene.

“Then we all went to his house in Uyo, he held my hands, walking around from room to room, while my husband was walking from behind; he showed me the beautiful interiors. Then I noticed that he hastened his pace, still holding hands. My husband was on his phone and was still trying to catch up with us.

“He got to this particular sitting room and asked if I liked his house. I said of course, sir, every room is beautiful, quality taste. 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 exactly that meant.”

Natasha further alleged that her husband later warned her against travelling alone or visiting the Senate President’s residence following that particular encounter.

She also claimed that Akpabio obstructed her motion for an investigation into corruption at the Ajaokuta Steel Company, delaying its approval on multiple occasions.

According to her, when she confronted Akpabio about the delays during a private meeting in the Senate President’s office, he responded, “Natasha, I am the chief presiding officer. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.” She said she refused to acknowledge the statement, but he replied, ‘The ball is in your court.”’

Natasha said, “My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”

Reacting to the allegations, the media consultant to the Senate President, Kenny Okulogbo, described it as tissues of lies.

Okulogbo stated that the Kogi lawmaker was angry because she was removed as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.

Also, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, has threatened to sue Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over the allegation of sexual harassment levelled against her husband.

Akpabio’s wife, in a statement, recounted the cordial relationship that existed between her family and Senator Natasha’s family and dismissed the allegations as a “figment of wild imaginations.”

Describing the allegation as unfounded, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio said she was present at her family residence on the alleged date of December 8, 2023, stressing that both families enjoyed a long-standing cordial relationship that predates Senator Natasha’s marriage.

She praised Akpabio’s “discipline as a man who loves and respects his family,” citing his track record of supporting women’s inclusion in government even before his emergence as Senate President.