NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN ACCUSES SENATOR AKPABIO OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances. She made these claims during an interview on Arise Television on Friday.

Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio blocked her motions from being heard on the Senate floor after she refused his advances. She further claimed that her rejection led to persistent harassment and mistreatment, both at Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and in his office.

She recounted an incident on December 8, 2023, stating, “We went to his house in Ikot-Ekpene, and he held my hand, saying he wanted to show me around. Just the three of us—my husband, him, and I. He quickened his pace while holding my hand and took me to a sitting room. He asked, ‘Do you like my house?’ I replied, ‘Of course, yes.’ He then said, ‘Now that you’re a Senator, you’ll create time for us to spend quality time here, and you’ll enjoy it.’”

She also alleged that during a Senate session, Akpabio told her, “Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a lot if you take care of me and make me happy.” Akpoti-Uduaghan said she responded by pretending not to hear the remark. She likened her situation to “a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”

In response to the allegations, Kenny Okulogbo, media consultant to the Senate President, dismissed the claims as “tissues of lies.” He suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s anger stemmed from her removal as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.

Okulogbo stated, “All that Senator Natasha said are lies. She is upset because she was removed from her committee position. The Senate President will respond officially soon.”

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