Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging that he attempted to pressure her into an inappropriate relationship and later blocked her motions on the Senate floor as retaliation for rejecting his advances.
Akpabio, through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo, has denied the claims, describing them as “tissues of lies.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the allegations during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, stating that the issue began on December 8, 2023, when she visited Akpabio’s residence in Ikot-Ekpene.
“While at his house, he held my hand and led me into a particular sitting room. He asked, ‘Do you like my house?’ I said, ‘Of course, yes.’ Then he told me, ‘Now that you are a senator, you will create time for us to spend quality time here, and you will enjoy it,’” she alleged.
The Kogi lawmaker further claimed that Akpabio later tried to solicit favors in exchange for legislative support.
“On the Senate floor, I was advised by colleagues to approach him regarding a motion on the Ajaokuta Steel Company. When I did, he told me, ‘Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.’ I chose to ignore that statement,” she said.
Comparing her experience to that of a student being victimized for refusing a lecturer’s advances, she alleged that her rejection of Akpabio led to persistent harassment and obstruction of her legislative duties.
In response, Okulogbo dismissed the allegations, suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was only making the claims out of frustration over her recent removal as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
“All that Senator Natasha said are lies. She is just angry because she was removed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content,” he said.
He added that the Senate President would issue an official statement addressing the allegations soon.
