Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of marginalizing her for refusing to sleep with him.
Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio made sexual advances toward her in December 2023 when she and her husband visited his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. She claimed Akpabio held her hand, made suggestive remarks, and implied she could “enjoy” his company as a senator.
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She further alleged that after rejecting him, Akpabio consistently blocked her motions on the Senate floor, including her motion to investigate corruption at the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which was only approved when the Deputy Senate President presided over the session.
Akpabio, through his media consultant Kenny Okulogbo, has denied the allegations. However, this is not the first time he has faced such accusations, as former NDDC Managing Director Joy Nunieh also accused him of sexual harassment in 2020, which he also denied.
The senator’s allegations follow a recent confrontation between the two during a Senate plenary, where Akpoti-Uduaghan protested her relocation to a back seat away from her party members.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District Diaspora Professionals has condemned the criticism against Akpabio, describing it as blackmail. In a statement by its chairman, Moffat Ekoriko, the group insisted that the Senate President acted within the rules as the presiding officer.
