Senate President Godswill Akpabio has refuted allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting he has always upheld respect for women.
On Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the Senate chamber alongside her husband, sharing a brief affectionate moment before taking her seat. Upon Akpabio’s arrival, she notably defied Senate tradition by refusing to stand, signaling tension between the two lawmakers.
Addressing the Senate, Akpabio dismissed the allegations, stating, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
He acknowledged the public scrutiny surrounding the claims and urged Nigerians to allow the courts to determine the matter rather than jumping to conclusions.
However, moments after his remarks, Akpoti-Uduaghan formally submitted a petition under Senate Order 40, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. The Senate subsequently referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for further investigation.
The dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan dates back to February, when a seating reassignment in the Senate led to a confrontation. The ongoing controversy has intensified tensions within the legislative body and raised concerns about ethical conduct in the Senate.
