By Adesina Soyooye
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has underscored how serious the se€ual harassment allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is, and why it should be thoroughly investigated.
Nigerians woke up Friday morning to watch Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly allege that Akpabio was mistreating her and not according her rights and privileges to her because she had consistently rejected his se€ual overtures.
Reactions to the scandalous allegation have been coming in like claps of thunder including from Akpabio’s wife, Mrs Unoma Ekaette Akpabio, who defended her husband, vouched for him as a disciplined man, and threatened to sue Akpoti-Uduaghan.
But in his own reaction, Atiku, who was the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, urged both President Bola Tinubu and the Senate to take Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation seriously and initiate a thorough investigation.
He emphasized how grave the allegations made by the Female Senator is, its implications on the Nation and the National Assembly, and reminded Nigerians, in case anybody was forgetting, that Akpabio’s is Nigeria’s third highest office holder.
Atiku: “Like millions of Nigerians, I watched with deep concern this morning (Friday morning), as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan raised serious allegations of se€ual harassment, intimidation, and mistreatment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
“These allegations are grave and deserve a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation.
“The Nigerian Senate represents the voice of the people. Those who serve in it — especially its leadership — must uphold the highest standards of integrity, dignity, and respect, both for their office and for the Nigerian citizens they serve.
“As the third most powerful figure in the country, the Senate President should embody unimpeachable character.
“Se€ual harassment in the workplace is a significant barrier to women’s advancement and, by extension, the nation’s progress. Allegations of such misconduct should never be simply dismissed, particularly when they involve a public officer with immense power, influence, and responsibility.
“As the chief presiding officer of the Upper Chamber, the Senate President has a duty to champion the protection and empowerment of Nigerian women through legislation — not to be the subject of allegations that undermine those very principles.
“The handling of this matter will send a strong message about Nigeria’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the inclusion of women in governance.
“I urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate itself to take these allegations seriously by ensuring a credible, transparent, and independent investigation.
“With only four women currently serving in the Senate, it is imperative that we foster an environment where female legislators can serve without fear of
harassment or intimidation.
“This moment demands careful and principled action to uphold the integrity of our institutions and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of gender, is treated with dignity and respect.”
Inspite of Mrs Akpabio’s strong defence of her husband, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stands by her allegations. She insists she has evidences and witnesses. One of them? Her husband with whom she listens to Akpabio’s late night calls to her.
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