Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi), describing them as baseless and urging Nigerians to await the court’s verdict.
Akpabio made the rebuttal on Wednesday during the Senate’s plenary session after a week-long recess.
The controversy erupted after Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on a television program, where she accused the Senate President of making unwelcome advances toward her. She suggested that these alleged past incidents were linked to her recent challenges in the Senate, particularly the reallocation of her seat without prior notice on February 20.
The issue was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for investigation, with a two-week deadline for its report.
Addressing the allegations, Akpabio dismissed any claims of misconduct and maintained that he had never harassed Akpoti-Uduaghan—or any woman.
“On February 28, there were serious allegations circulating in the media about a purported harassment of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. While I am aware that the matters are in court, I would like to state clearly that at no time did I ever attempt this or any form of sexual harassment,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President emphasized that his upbringing under a single mother, who raised him and his siblings under difficult conditions, instilled in him a deep respect for women.
“I and my siblings were raised very well by my late single mother, who passed away in 2000. I have the highest regard for women,” he added.
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Akpabio, who served as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, further stated that he was widely recognized for his gender-friendly policies and had received multiple awards for promoting women’s rights.
“If you wish to know, I was awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria. In my eight years as governor, I ensured women had a strong voice in governance,” he said.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, supporters of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan staged a protest outside the National Assembly complex. The demonstrators, who demanded justice for the senator, were dispersed by police officers stationed at the complex.
As the Senate Committee continues its investigation and legal proceedings unfold, Akpabio urged the media and the public to refrain from jumping to conclusions based on mere allegations.
“I urge all Nigerians, particularly the media, to await the court’s decision. Let us not preempt the outcome,” he said.
The unfolding drama between the two lawmakers continues to generate national attention, raising questions about gender dynamics and power struggles within Nigeria’s legislative chambers.