Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has urged Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to refrain from interfering in the allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation leveled against her husband.
The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio began when she refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules. Tensions escalated further when she appeared on Arise News on Friday, accusing Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, dismissing the allegations and asserting that both families had enjoyed a cordial relationship for years, even before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage.
However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, and addressed to Mrs. Akpabio through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan advised her to stay out of the matter.
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 the accusations were personal to the Senate President and that he should defend himself.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that she had tolerated harassment from Akpabio for some time but felt compelled to speak out.
“Our client is not desirous of calling you out into the unfortunate saga concerning her allegations against the Senate President and wishes that you restrain yourself from delving into the obscene circumstances. While she has tolerated all the harassment from the Senate President, she was constrained to reveal the unfortunate torture and victimization she has been going through in the red chambers under his hand,” the letter partly read.
She further asserted that she had concrete evidence to back up her claims and urged Mrs. Akpabio to allow her husband to defend himself for the sake of her own well-being and that of her family.
“Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations. We will suggest that you leave the defense of the allegations for the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family,” the letter stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan reiterated her commitment to defending Nigerian women and upholding family values, emphasizing that she remains resolute in her stance.
