The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. However, Akpabio, through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo, has denied the allegations.
Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio deliberately blocked her motions in the Senate because she rejected his advances. She claimed that her refusal led to persistent harassment and defamation, both in Akpabio’s home in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and in his office.
Detailing an encounter, she said, “My issue with Akpabio began on December 8, 2023, when my husband and I attended a pre-birthday gathering at his residence in Uyo. Earlier, at his house in Ikot-Ekpene, he held my hand and offered to show me around, with just my husband, himself, and me present. As we moved, he quickened his pace while still holding my hand. When we reached a particular sitting room, he asked if I liked the house. I responded affirmatively, and he said, ‘Now that you are a Senator, you will create time for us to spend quality time here, and you will enjoy it.’”
She further alleged that her attempts to raise a motion on corruption at Ajaokuta Steel Company were repeatedly blocked. “I listed this motion five times, and it only appeared on the order paper on the sixth attempt. When I confronted the Senate President about the repeated delays, he told me, ‘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.’ At that moment, I decided to ignore the comment,” she said.
Describing her ordeal, she compared it to a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to engage in a sexual relationship.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also revealed that she had been warned by some senators about a possible seat reassignment, which she believed was a trap. She recounted, “A sergeant-at-arms approached me in the Senate chamber and informed me that my seat had been changed by the Senate President. This was unexpected because no prior notice had been given. I had to invoke Order 10, which serves as an emergency mechanism for senators who feel their rights have been violated. However, the Senate President did not allow me to speak on that order before announcing my suspension.”
In response, Akpabio’s media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo, dismissed the claims as falsehoods. Speaking to PUNCH, he stated, “Everything Senator Natasha said is a complete fabrication. She is only making these allegations because she was removed as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.”
