The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Godswill Akpabio

  • Niger Delta youth leaders seek arrests over planned nationwide women protest

    Niger Delta youth leaders seek arrests over planned nationwide women protest

    The Niger Delta Youth Leaders Association has called on security agencies to take decisive action against the sponsors of the planned nationwide protest by women under the aegis of the Purple Women Foundation.

    The group, in a statement by Comrade Ufuoma Erharhine, emphasised that their call was necessary due to certain factions organising demonstrations fuelled not by genuine grievances but by external influences and agendas aimed at destabilising the country.

    It said: “While we acknowledge the right to peaceful assembly as a cornerstone of our democracy, we must remain vigilant against movements intended to incite violence, unrest, and division among our citizens.

    “We urge the President to prioritise the safety and security of all citizens by directing intelligence and law enforcement agencies to investigate Chief Emma Uduaghan, the husband of Senator Natasha, who is believed to be the financier of these protests.

    “Investigating who is behind these initiatives is crucial for preventing any potential escalation that could lead to civil disorder and unrest.”

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    “The stability of our nation must remain paramount. History shows us that unrest often leads to unnecessary suffering and can have long-lasting effects on our communities and institutions.”

    “We believe that thorough investigations are necessary not only to protect our great nation but also to uphold the democratic values we cherish.”

    “We call for transparency in the findings of these investigations and urge the government to communicate with the public regarding measures being taken to ensure our safety and security.”

    “We remain resolute in defense of the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu without fear or favor, as the continuous attacks on Senator Akpabio are attacks against the President and the people of the South-South.”

    “We stand ready to support the government’s commitment to peace and order and the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio. We call upon all stakeholders to do their part to foster peace because if these attacks do not stop, they will lead to unrest in the Niger Delta region.”

  • Poor optics

    Poor optics

    •The row between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is beneath the institution.

    The storm in Nigeria’s premier lawmaking chamber concerning the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, should not have happened. At a time when the nation is grappling with cost of living and the woes of lawless young men in the name of bandits, the Senate ought to be immersed in ideas and legislations that would help the executive branch to lift the country.

    Rather, we are witnessing a descent into indecency. Two matters have arisen in the past couple of weeks.

    One, the senate president and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan created an ugly scene when Senator Akpabio refused to accept any motion from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over subsisting house rules. The rule in question requires a senator to speak on the floor of the house only from their designated seat.

    The second was the petition of sexual

    harassment made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the senate president.

    The latest of the matter was the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.

    The most worrying of this drama is that more important matters have taken a back seat in the social media, breakfast, lunch and dinner discussions, while the major media outlets, both print and electronic, have generated a feeding frenzy over this turn of events.

    The house rules aspect of this theatre has unfortunately been submerged as the imagination of the public has turned

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    prurient and yielded to scandal instead of law. The allegation of sexual misconduct is a very crucial matter and should never have been kicked aside when it involves a woman and a powerful man. Yet, we should never allow it to detract from our sobriety of judgment.

    What Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has thrown out is as yet an allegation, but a serious one. She has said she has concrete evidence and that should have led to a clear picture in her lights. But when the senate instituted a panel and

    gave her an opportunity to state her side of the story, she did not appear. That has not helped her case, and it shows she did not hold the institution of the senate in high esteem.

    She did not take the senate president to court on the sexual harassment issue, and that means she ought to have shown respect to her colleagues. She did not. Sexual harassment issues ought to attract our attention but only when we have evidence.

    This makes the main issue her act of misconduct. As a lawmaker, she ought to understand the value of due process and order. The senate president has the right to reshuffle the sitting arrangement in the chamber after a defection occurs. She ought to have acceded to the reshuffle. She did not.

    She was also accused on the floor of not respecting the institution of the senate by talking it down in interviews on radio and television. This is out of taste and a breach of decorum.

    Yet, we believe that the leadership of the senate went into haste in slamming a suspension on her, especially when she had gone to court to restrain the institution. There was no need also for a

    six-month hiatus on her career. The last person to raise dust in the senate was Senator Ndume, and he returned after two weeks. We hope that the six months verdict is a pie in the sky, and the woman would return to her duties as a lawmaker in short order.

    She represents a constituency, and suspending a lawmaker amounts to shutting out a community from our democracy. We believe, too, that she is one of a few female lawmakers and the optics of a female lawmaker in such a tiff is not good for democracy.

     We expect that the matter would be resolved soon and the august lawmaking body can return to the job the Nigerian people put them there to perform.

  • Uduaghan’s suspension and gender equity

    Uduaghan’s suspension and gender equity

    By Ray Ekpu

    The storm at the senate involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central has for some weeks now become the staple of daily conversation in Nigeria. Akpoti-Uduaghan, had a few weeks ago, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Akpabio has denied the accusation and has said that he respects women as a matter of course. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been suspended by the senate for six months for gross misconduct.

    In a statement dated March 8, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi has given five reasons for the suspension of the senator from Kogi Central. The reasons given are:

    1. Refusing to sit in the assigned seat during plenary on February 25, despite multiple pleas from the minority leader and other ranking senators, an act of open defiance and disorderly conduct.

    2. Speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on February 25.

    3. Engaging in unruly and disruptive behaviour, obstructing the orderly conduct of senate proceedings

    4. Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the senate.

    5. Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct. The suspension for six months involves the loss of her salary and allowances for the period, the withdrawal of her security details and the non-accessibility to her office or the senate premises.

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    Some weeks ago I was in full admiration of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, not because I want to harass her sexually because she is beautiful. I admired her when I saw the advertisement on television of big projects that she had executed in her constituency. I thought she was very dedicated to the well-being of her people and I wished that all senators were like her in project execution in their constituencies. But on February 25, I was compelled to have a different impression of her.

    Conflict is a natural state of affairs in every organisation but when it occurs, common sense demands that we manage it with civility and decency. On that day she displayed a waspish countenance, making bitter, bitchy remarks against the senate leadership. She would stand up, rave and rant and some senators would beg her to calm down, she would sit down and continue to rave and rant, then she would stand up again and continue yammering, showing the impatience of a challenger.

    It was like a sight from hell, a product of untamed anger; her ugly behaviour was a sharp contrast to her beautiful face and lovely light green attire. At the other end was Akpabio, cool and calm, an epitome of self-control, who managed exceedingly well the anger that hung in the air between them like an invisible dagger. For several minutes the fire of her anger refused to go away in a hall that people regard as the paragon of upper society, the upper chamber of our iconic legislative arm. Her temper tantrum lowered the reputation of the senate in the eyes of self-respecting people.

    In the matter between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio there are two law suits in Abuja Courts. Akpoti-Uduaghan was the first to slam a N100 billion suit against Akpabio and his Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick for publishing a post on his Facebook platform accusing her of thinking that being a senator was all about wearing make-up and transparent outfits to the chamber. Unoma, Akpabio’s wife, has risen in defence of her husband. She says that her husband is a great respecter of women and is not a sexual harasser. She, too, has slammed a N250 billion lawsuit on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for defamation. The cases are yet to be heard.

    In all of these, two things bother me. One is the image of the Nigerian Senate which Akpabio confirms bothered him too. There are lots of legislative duties to be done such as the enactment of the Tax Reform Bill, the review of the Electoral Act and the Constitution Review which has defied a resolution for many years. I urge stakeholders to wade into the matter and get it resolved expeditiously so that the senate can devote full attention to its legislative duties without any further distraction by this matter.

    My second worry is that the women are not making any serious impact on law-making at the National Assembly. In the present senate of 109 senators, there are only four female senators. They are Senator Ireti Kingibe representing FCT Abuja, Senator Ipalibo Banigo representing Rivers West, Senator Idiat Adebule representing Lagos West and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central. In the House of Representatives there are only 16 female members out of 360 Representatives. With such a very poor representation of women in the two chambers of the National Assembly, women stakeholders need, to work out a series of strategies to take care of issues of gender equity at the National Assembly. I doubt whether that is going on.

    In the past sessions of the National Assembly, about six bills affecting the welfare of women were thrown out by the male-dominated past National Assembly even when there were more female senators than what we have now. Politics is a tough and dangerous game in Nigeria. It is a do-or-die affair and many women are scared of going into it.

    It is also capital intensive and many women do not have the large sums of money needed for campaigns and elections so without being pessimistic, I do not think there will be a situation of female domination of Nigerian politics in the near future. What that means is that women must work with the men who run the affairs of the National Assembly if they hope to improve the lot of women generally. This Uduaghan-Akpabio controversy is a deterrent to such cooperation that can improve the lot, in legislative terms of the female gender.

    Many men in Nigeria are very conservative when it comes to giving women more opportunities in decision-making positions whether in the public or private sector. The other reason why women are not having more opportunities even in appointive positions is that the men also want these positions for themselves or their family members or cronies. What that means is that women need to cooperate with the men folk who are decision makers in various situations.

    Confrontation is not the answer. For example, there are many issues that touch the lives and well-being of Nigerian women which need to be legislated upon. Such issues include but are not limited to, under age marriage, female genital mutilation, inheritance for women, widowhood, education for the girl-child, period poverty for the girl child, sexual violence against women, gender parity or equity in appointive offices.

    In Rwanda, there are equal women and men in the government’s cabinet. In Nigeria, the gap is still very wide between men and women in the federal cabinet. The Uduaghan-Akpabio matter will have very negative effects on gender issues because the male-dominated, senate has taken a decision that gives the impression that a woman senator had shown utmost disrespect to the leadership of the National Assembly. If she apologises for her alleged misconduct, the senate should consider a review of the punishment given to her especially since she is a first timer at the senate and a first offender. In order to avoid more distraction, the leaders of the senate should consider an appeal to both parties to withdraw the cases in court and allow peace to reign in the hallowed chambers.

  • Natasha: Group berates Saraki over comments against Akpabio

    Natasha: Group berates Saraki over comments against Akpabio

    A former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been berated over his recent comments which suggested Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was trivializing and politicising the sexual harassment allegation against him.

    A group, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals, kicked against Saraki’s comments, saying it was wrong for him to make such inflammatory remarks on a matter with litigations in court.

    Saraki, a former Kwara Governor, had issued a press release through his media office on March 9, 2025, titled “Saraki to Akpabio: Don’t Politicise, Trivialise Call for Due Process in Senate.”

    Saraki called for an open and transparent investigation into the

    the sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    The forum in a statement signed by its National President, Mr. Edidiong John and National Secretary, Kemfon Neke denied that Akpabio was ‘politicising’ and ‘trivialising’ the matter.

    It said that Saraki as a former presiding officer in the Senate ought to have weighed the implications of his statement in the light of established legal and procedural principles while allowing the Judiciary to do it’s work.

    The statement reads in parts: “While we respect Dr. Saraki’s right to express his views, it is imperative to clarify certain facts in the public domain and address the implications of his statement in light of established legal and procedural principles, which Dr. Saraki, as a former presiding officer of the Senate, ought to be fully aware of.

    “Firstly, information widely available in the public sphere indicates that Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, wife of the Senate President, has initiated legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. 

    “This lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, includes claims of defamation and violation of fundamental rights, stemming directly from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    “Mrs. Akpabio’s legal action is on behalf of her family, asserting that the senator’s claims have caused reputational damage and emotional distress. The veracity of these allegations and the culpability of the parties involved are now squarely before a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria.

    “This development, by virtue of the Senate’s own rule book, deprives the National Assembly of further jurisdiction to entertain the matter, as it is sub judice, a principle designed to prevent legislative entanglement in ongoing judicial proceedings.

    “Dr. Saraki, with his extensive experience as a former Senate President, is or ought to be conversant with the Senate’s Standing Orders, particularly those prohibiting the consideration of matters pending before the courts. 

    “The pendency of this case in the judicial system renders any parallel investigation by the Senate improper and beyond its authority at this stage. This is not a matter of politicization or trivialization, as Dr. Saraki suggests, but a straightforward application of legal and parliamentary norms”.

    The group further questioned the approach adopted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in reporting the purported sexual harassment against her, adding it was preposterous for her to have used the media instead of the proper channels. 

    “Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the allegations in question, which Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claims date back to December 8, 2023, were not promptly reported to the police despite constituting a potential criminal offense nor submitted to the Senate’s Ethics and Public Petitions Committee for immediate redress, as provided under the Senate’s rules.

    “Instead, the senator chose to first air her grievances on a television program, bypassing established remedial options available under Nigerian law and Senate procedure. This sequence of events raises questions about the intent behind her approach, which Mrs. Akpabio has interpreted as defamatory, prompting her to seek judicial recourse. 

    “The court is now the appropriate forum to test the senator’s claims, and it is there that she must substantiate her assertions, as the law in Nigeria remains clear: he or she who alleges must prove.

    “Dr. Saraki’s call for an “open, transparent, and honest investigation” by the Senate, while well-intentioned, overlooks these critical realities. His status as a former presiding officer suggests he should recognize the Senate’s limited options in the face of an ongoing court case. 

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    “Senator Akpabio, as Senate President, is not a member of the judiciary and cannot usurp its role in adjudicating this dispute. Rather than taunting the Senate or creating confusion with suggestions of legislative overreach, Dr. Saraki would do well to place confidence in the judicial system and await its verdict.

    ‘It should also be noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has indeed submitted a petition to the Senate regarding this matter. That petition has been referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen. 

    “It is this committee that will determine, in the first instance, whether the Senate retains jurisdiction to address the issue, given the subjudice nature of the allegations. This process is already underway, and any further agitation outside this framework risks undermining the Senate’s own procedures.

    “We urge Dr. Saraki, to respect the legal process currently in motion and refrain from statements that may inadvertently pressure or prejudice the Senate’s orderly handling of this sensitive issue. 

    “It is only the courts and the Ethics Committee, within their respective mandates, that are the proper avenues for resolution. Nigerians expect the Senate to remain committed to upholding its integrity and credibility and to do so within the bounds of the law and its own rules”.

  • Natasha’s sexual harassment allegation traumatised me, Senate-Akpabio

    Natasha’s sexual harassment allegation traumatised me, Senate-Akpabio

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation traumatised him and the Senate.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday suspended for six months by the Senate over alleged misconduct and breach of relevant standing orders.

    She however said the suspension which she described as an injustice would not be sustained.

    Akpabio described the allegation as “useless” saying it was prompted by a change in her seat within the Red Chamber and her reassignment to another committee.

    He also claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, had traumatized him and other Senators with her useless accusations.

    Speaking at an event commemorating International Women’s Day in Abuja, Akpabio maintained his innocence and suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims were motivated by her committee reassignment and seat re-allocation.

    Akpabio said: “It was only yesterday that I realised that what we are talking about only happened when there was a change of seat.

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    “That is when hell was let loose, and all sorts of allegations came up – only after the change of seat and change of committee, which my Senators know happens from time to time.”

    Referring to the timeline of events, he added: “This is said to have happened on December 8, a day before my birthday, which was celebrated in the stadium in 2023.

    “So from December 8, 2023, I never heard, my wife never heard, no Nigerian ever heard, even her husband never heard any issue of sexual harassment – until her committee was changed, and then her seat was changed.”

    Akpabio further questioned the veracity of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, stating that none of her past accusations had been proven.

    “Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman to the other people she has accused in the past?

    “None has been proven so far. Do you even wonder about the trauma this caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations? I have refrained from making a statement.”

    Addressing the audience at the event, Akpabio pointed to the women present and remarked, “Look at these beautiful women. They have come across me so many times. Have I ever harassed any one of you? Or is the person thinking that you are not beautiful?

  • If you Akpoti me, I Akpabio you

    If you Akpoti me, I Akpabio you

    In the grand theatre of Nigerian politics, where drama and intrigue are as common as potholes on our roads, we now have a new episode starring Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, wife of the Senate President. This saga, rich in allegations, lawsuits, and demands for astronomical sums, could easily be mistaken for a Nollywood blockbuster—if only it weren’t our reality.

    This isn’t the first time Senate President Godswill Akpabio has found himself in the eye of such a storm. In 2020, Joi Nunieh, the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Nunieh claimed that during her tenure, Akpabio made inappropriate advances, leading her to physically defend herself. She stated, “I slapped Akpabio for sexually harassing me.”

    Fast forward to 2025, and history seems to be repeating itself. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has come forward with allegations that Akpabio made inappropriate advances towards her, even in the presence of her husband. She claims that on December 8, 2023, during a visit to Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, he held her hand and led her around his house, making suggestive comments along the way. She further alleges that Akpabio insinuated she should “take care of him” if she wanted her motions to receive favorable consideration on the Senate floor.

    Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio has taken it upon herself to defend her husband’s honour by filing two defamation lawsuits against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding a whopping N250 billion in damages. Yes, you read that correctly—N250 billion. To put that in perspective, that’s enough to fund several state budgets or perhaps buy a small European country.

    Mrs. Akpabio claims that these allegations have caused her and her children emotional and psychological distress, leading them to live in constant fear. One can only imagine the terror of being associated with such a scandal in our ever-forgiving society. She is also seeking a court declaration that the allegations are defamatory, a formal written retraction, and an unconditional apology to be published in two national newspapers.

    Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan earlier filed a defamation lawsuit against the Senate President and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, seeking N100 billion in damages and an additional N300 million in litigation costs. This counter-suit stems from a Facebook post allegedly made by Mr. Patrick, criticising her conduct in the Senate. Clearly, in Nigerian politics, social media posts are now valued higher than oil reserves.

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    As this legal tit-for-tat unfolds, one can’t help but marvel at the sheer scale of the damages being demanded. It’s as if our politicians have discovered a new goldmine in the form of defamation lawsuits. Perhaps this is the solution to our economic woes—encourage all public figures to sue each other for astronomical sums and watch the naira strengthen overnight.

    The gravity of these allegations has not gone unnoticed. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki have called for a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the matter, emphasizing that such allegations should never be dismissed, especially when they involve a public officer with immense power and responsibility.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a petition, which the Senate didn’t waste time in throwing away. Akpabio also defended himself saying his mother raised him well enough not to disrespect or harass women. 

    As this Akpabio/ Akpoti-Uduaghan legal and moral drama unfolds, the Nigerian public finds itself in the familiar role of spectator, watching as those in power navigate scandals that would make for compelling cinema. Whether justice will be served or political theatrics will prevail remains to be seen.

    In the meantime, the rest of us can only sit back and enjoy the spectacle, popcorn in hand, as our leaders engage in this high-stakes game of legal chess. After all, who needs Netflix when you have the Nigerian political arena?

  • Northern CAN seeks elders’ intervention in Akpabio-Natasha feud

    Northern CAN seeks elders’ intervention in Akpabio-Natasha feud

    The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has called on well-meaning Nigerian elders to intervene in the feud between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.

    Hayab, in an interview, said that as a responsible religious body, “CAN considers the feud shameful and unfortunate.”

    According to him: “There is a need for elders to intervene. Akpabio and Natasha have some people that they respect and hold in high regard. The members of the National Assembly should do what they must do to address the matter.

    “We should show that we are responsible people in addressing the matter, it is not to find fault but to mend fences.”

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    He added:  “No one should toy with an allegation of sexual harassment, but Nigeria has gone past this kind of thing. Nigeria has gone past the era when people claim they are underdogs or minorities.”

    Hayab called on the media not to fuel the feud in their reportage, pointing out that doing so would only further confuse and divide Nigerians.

    He therefore urged  members of the National Assembly to work  towards  making the lives of Nigerians much better, having passed the 2025 national budget.

    “CAN appeal for all groups involved or affected by the Akpabio-Natasha feud to sheath their swords and refrain from making comments capable of further dividing Nigerians along gender or regional lines.Let’s give peace a chance,’’ he concluded.

  • Akpabio’s ‘harassment’ headache

    Akpabio’s ‘harassment’ headache

    It is striking that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, 62, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is at the centre of another case of alleged sexual harassment. In 2020, he had faced the same accusation.  He was then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.  The accuser was a former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh.

    Their fight happened in the public square. That was the boxing ring. The spectators were members of the attentive public. There was no referee to determine what was fair or foul.   There was no predetermined number of rounds. So, the fight could go on for as long as the pugilists could keep going and keep the fight going.  

    Nunieh had been sacked in February 2020 for alleged insubordination.  Their fight happened mid-year, in the middle of a corruption-related legislative investigation and forensic audit of the commission. 

    There was a dramatic exchange of punches.  Akpabio threw the first punch. He said of Nunieh: “I wish she would go to a hospital, see a doctor and then get some injections and relax. I am not saying something is wrong with her, I am saying something is wrong with her temperament. You don’t need to ask me, you can ask about four other husbands she married.”

    Nunieh hit back. After pointing out that Akpabio was wrong about her love life, she stung him, saying: “Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only woman that slapped Akpabio. He thought he could come up on me. He tried to harass me sexually.

    “I slapped him. He tried to come on me. I am an Ogoni woman and nobody jokes with us. I showed Akpabio that Rivers women do not tolerate nonsense.”

    The slap claim became the talk of the town. Akpabio threatened to sue Nunieh for defamation, denying her allegation of sexual harassment, which he described as “false, malicious, and libelous.”

    Then the fight fizzled out.  It wasn’t clear why the pugilists stopped punching. While it lasted, it was an attention-grabbing, high-profile public fight in which they not only fought dirty but also displayed that raw killer instinct characteristic of pugilism.

    Five years later, Akpabio found himself in the same situation. This time, the fight is likely to be messier and longer. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, 45, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Kogi Central, accused him of sexual harassment in an interview with Arise Television on February 28, following a war of words between them regarding the sitting arrangement in the Senate chamber.    

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    Akpoti-Uduaghan’s narrative: “It all started on the 8th of December, 2023, which was a day before his birthday and my birthday. We are birthday mates. We were all in Akwa Ibom, because he had a big fanfare in the stadium, myself, my husband, and a few of his close friends, we went to Akwa Ibom.

    “At first, we were at Ikot Ekpene, his house in Ikot Ekpene, then we all moved to his house in Uyo, which was about 8 p.m., and he held my hand, and said he wanted to show me around his house. My husband was walking behind us, just three of us, walking around from room to room.

    “He showed me the beautiful interior. This was done by this, by that… look how beautiful it is, and then I noticed that he hastened his pace while still holding my hand. My husband was behind, still on his phone, but he was catching up whenever he could. And then he got to this particular sitting room, and he said,  ‘do you like my house?’ I said, of course, sir.

    “Every room, beautiful, nice interior, quality taste. He said, ‘now that you’re a senator, I’m going to create time for us to come spend quality moments here. You will enjoy it.’ At that point, I just pulled away, and I was like, I don’t really understand what exactly that meant.”

    She continued: “I thought that was going to be the end. But then in February, I wanted to move a motion for the investigation on the ills of a corrupt practice in Ajaokuta Steel Company. I listed that motion five times. It was the sixth time that it was listed on the order paper that it was approved.

    “Many senators can testify to that. Each time the motion is listed, just before he takes it, he will say, oh, Senator Natasha, we can’t take this motion because the board of the Senate does not accommodate it. Or he will speak on others and then let it drag…

    “So, he kept on doing that. I went to him in his office and I said, senate president, you know how important this Ajaokuta Steel Company is to me. You know how important it is to my people and to Nigerians. I’ve noticed that you have stepped down this motion. As a matter of fact, a number of senators told me, go and see him and plead with him so that he will take it. I was like, sir, please, why can’t you take this motion? It’s very important. It’s been listed. Then it was listed a third time and stepped down. He then said, Natasha, I’m the chief presiding officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me.

    “At that point, I said, sir, I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear this. He said, well, the ball is in your court.”

    In Akpabio’s corner is his wife, Ekaette, who has filed a fundamental rights suit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, claiming that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusation had caused her husband and children “emotional and psychological abuse.” She wants the court to order her to tender a public apology, which will be published in two national newspapers. She also wants N350bn in exemplary, punitive, aggravated and general damages, as well as a perpetual injunction barring the senator from making any further defamatory remarks against her family’s reputation.

    Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, Natasha’s husband, said his wife “confided” in him “about her interactions with the senate president.” In a letter to Akpabio’s wife, the Kogi senator, through her lawyer, said: “We will suggest that you leave the defence of the allegations for the senate president to maintain your sanity and that of your family.” She claimed to have “concrete evidence” to substantiate her allegations.

    The drama raises significant questions about possible abuse of power, possible undermining of women’s legislative representation, and possible manipulation of truth, among others. It remains to be seen if there will ultimately be clarity regarding what happened or did not happen between the accused and the accuser.

  • Emami seeks restrain over Akpabio, Natasha feud

    Emami seeks restrain over Akpabio, Natasha feud

    Amidst the allegation of sexual advances levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), a leader of  the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Delta South, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has called for restrain in the escalating war of words.

    While speaking on Friday at Arise TV programme, Morning Show, the Kogi Central lawmaker alleged that she was being victimised by the Senate President following alleged rebuff of sex advances from the Senate President.

    The APC chieftain in a statement demanded immediate ceasefire from the federal lawmakers as he declared that enemies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration were determined to feast on it and create a distraction to Nigerians.

    He noted:  “The avoidable media war, took the minds of majority of Nigerians off the critical issue of the N54.99 trillion 2025 budget President Tinubu signed into law Friday February 28.”

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    Chief Emami maintained:  “Rather than focusing on the nitty gritty of the 2025 budget and how it would accelerate the palpable progress being made in the country, many Nigerians are exerting their energies on the disagreement between the two distinguished Senators.”

     While  emphasising the need for the  integrity of the Senate to be respected, he dropped the hint that APC leaders in the south south    ” as family, we are making efforts to resolve the misunderstanding between the Distinguished Senate President, Goodswill Akpabio and our sister – in-law, Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan.

    ” I want to use this medium to appeal to both parties to embrace peace, for the interest of the nation.        “By the grace of God and the wisdom of our good ancestors, the issues will be resolved soon.”

  • Natasha’s husband breaks silence on alleged sexual harassment by Akpabio

    Natasha’s husband breaks silence on alleged sexual harassment by Akpabio

    The Alema of Warri Kingdom and husband of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, said she confided her interactions with Senate President,  Godswill Akpabio with him.

    Chief Uduaghan, while reacting to the ongoing feud between his wife and the former Akwa Ibom Governor in a statement on Saturday, said he “considered the Senate President as a family friend” and approached the matter with “maturity”.

    Emphasising the love and devotion between himself and Natasha, he called on the Senate , including Akpabio to accord her respect and dignity.

    According to him: “I had initially resolved to refrain from commenting on the ongoing dispute between my beloved wife, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. 

    “However, recent developments have compelled me to issue this statement. It is clear that certain sentiments are being stirred up unnecessarily, distracting from the serious underlying allegations, which should concern every discerning individual with sound family values.

    “Without prejudice to the ongoing legal proceedings, I wish to emphasise that my wife was duly elected by her people due to the immense love, respect, and confidence they have in her and she is committed to delivery quality representation to her district and the Nation at large. She is a devoted wife, and the bond we share is deep and unwavering. She has always remained truthful, even in the face of adversity.

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    “My wife has confided in me about her interactions with the Senate President, whom I considered a family friend. In response, I approached the matter with the utmost maturity and responsibility, as it is my duty as a traditional leader who has immense respect for constituted authority and upholds core family values, foster peace and harmony. 

    “I personally met with the Senate President and respectfully urged him to extend the courtesy and respect my wife deserves while also honoring the friendship between us. We reached an understanding and agreed to resolve the issue amicably.

    “However, despite this agreement, my wife continues to express concerns about the harassment she has endured from the Senate President.

    “I have unwavering faith in my wife’s loyalty and am fully committed to our marriage, which is grounded in love, compassion, and mutual respect. I would never trade her for anything, as she is the greatest joy of my life.

    “I now respectfully urge the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate President to treat my beloved wife with the respect and dignity she truly deserves while the relevant authorities and the court determine the underlying issues.”