Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has urged Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to stay out of the ongoing allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation leveled against her husband.
The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio reportedly escalated after she refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules. Matters worsened when she appeared on Arise News on Friday, accusing Akpabio of blocking her motions and subjecting her to harassment after she allegedly rejected his advances.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, dismissing the claims as baseless and asserting that both families had enjoyed a cordial relationship long before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage.
However, in a March 1, 2025 letter addressed to Mrs. Akpabio through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan advised her to refrain from interfering in the matter, stating that the allegations were personal to the Senate President and that he should defend himself.
The letter, titled: “Stay Away from Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment and Intimidation Allegation Against Sen. President Godswill Akpabio; To Safeguard Your Sanity and That of Your Family,” emphasized that she had endured harassment for too long and was now compelled to speak out.
“Our client is not interested in dragging you into this unfortunate saga but urges you to refrain from interfering. She has tolerated the harassment from the Senate President for long enough but is now speaking out against the victimization she has endured in the red chambers.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan further insisted that she had “concrete evidence” to support her claims and urged Mrs. Akpabio to let her husband defend himself to preserve her family’s dignity.
“Our client remains resolute in defending Nigerian women and will continue to uphold family values and justice.”
The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
