The ongoing controversy in the Senate took a new turn as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of making repeated sexual advances toward her, even in the presence of her husband.
The senator made the shocking revelation during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where she alleged that her rejection of Akpabio’s advances had led to persistent hostility and victimization in the Senate.
Recounting an incident from December 18, 2023, a day before both their birthdays, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that during a visit to Akwa Ibom, Akpabio attempted to lure her into spending “quality time” at his home while giving her a private tour.
According to her, her husband was present and overheard parts of the conversation, which led to an awkward moment between all three. She stated that she initially withheld details of the exchange from her husband but later realized the significance of the incident as tensions with the Senate President escalated.
The senator alleged that Akpabio’s advances were not isolated incidents, claiming that he had made similar suggestions on multiple occasions both within and outside the country. She further linked her ongoing struggles in the Senate including seating reallocation and other internal conflicts to her refusal to comply with his alleged demands.
In the recent dispute over her Senate chamber seating arrangement, Akpoti-Uduaghan defended her stance, citing Senate rules that allow a senator to speak from their seat but also permit movement when addressing privilege issues.
She also expressed disappointment that her female colleagues in the Senate had not spoken up on her behalf, noting that their silence could be due to political pressure or personal reasons. The senator further alleged that Akpabio had once suggested organizing a private party for them to “have fun,” likening her ordeal to that of a female student resisting a professor’s advances.
