- By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu
Sir: Nigeria’s political landscape has once again been rocked by controversy following allegations by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a live interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show today, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her in December 2023, even in the presence of her husband, during a visit to Akwa Ibom.
While allegations of sexual harassment should never be dismissed outright, it is crucial to critically examine her claims against the backdrop of timing, inconsistencies, and the broader political context. One striking aspect of her accusations is the significant delay in making them public. If the alleged incident occurred on December 18, 2023, why is she speaking out only now in 2025?
Beyond the allegations, the political undercurrents cannot be ignored.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal battle with Akpabio and the longstanding tensions between opposition figures and the senate leadership suggest that this could be part of a larger strategy to discredit the Senate President. Akpabio, a seasoned politician and former governor, has faced various controversies over the years but not of this nature. If there were a pattern of such behaviour, one would expect multiple accusers to have come forward by now.
Instead, we have a lone allegation surfacing conveniently in the middle of a legal battle. Furthermore, Natasha has built a political reputation around activism and confrontation.
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While this is not necessarily a flaw, it does make it important to scrutinize her claims with a balanced perspective, ensuring they are not mere tools for political warfare.
Given the gravity of the allegations, concrete evidence is necessary. Mere verbal accusations, especially those emerging in the midst of a lawsuit, should not be taken at face value. If Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan truly believes she was harassed, the appropriate step would be to present credible proof rather than rely on suggestive storytelling.
Akpabio, as the accused, deserves the right to respond to these claims without being prematurely condemned. Nigeria must not become a society where mere allegations are enough to damage reputations, especially in the high-stake world of politics.
Sexual harassment is a serious issue that must never be trivialized, but it is equally important to guard against politically-motivated allegations that could set dangerous precedents. Without tangible proof, Natasha’s claims remain speculative at best and potentially defamatory at worst.
The Nigerian public must approach this matter with critical reasoning rather than emotional reactions, ensuring that justice, whether for the accuser or the accused, is based on facts, not sentiments.
•Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu, (NYSC)
Abuja.