A political storm is brewing in Nigeria as Senate President Godswill Akpabio faces allegations of sexual harassment from fellow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
During a televised interview last Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on December 8, 2023.
She further alleged that the Senate president implied she should “take care of him” if she wanted favorable consideration for her motions on the Senate floor.
In response to the alleged misconduct, Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against Akpabio, seeking 100 billion naira ($67 million) in damages.
While Akpabio has remained silent on the allegations, his wife, Unoma Akpabio, dismissed the claims as “false and unfounded” and filed a defamation lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeking double the amount in damages.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, confirmed that his wife had shared details of her encounters with Akpabio, stating that he initially attempted to handle the situation with diplomacy and respect.
This is not the first time Akpabio has faced similar accusations. In 2020, Joy Nunieh, a former Niger Delta Development Commission official, accused him of sexual harassment—an allegation he denied.
The scandal has sparked widespread outrage, with human rights advocates and political leaders demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the claims.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged the federal government to ensure transparency, while former Senate President Bukola Saraki called for Akpabio to submit himself to scrutiny.
“The right step now is a fair, open, and honest investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics,” Saraki stated.
Human rights activist Muinat Salam warned that the scandal could erode public trust in the Senate, calling for stricter measures against misconduct in public office.