Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has urged Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to refrain from becoming involved in the sexual harassment and intimidation allegations against her husband.
The conflict 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. The situation escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise News on Friday, accusing Akpabio of blocking her motions, defaming her, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, where she dismissed the allegations against her husband. She emphasized that the two families had enjoyed a cordial relationship for many years, long before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage, and suggested that the claims were unfounded.
However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, 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 should be handled by him alone.
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed that while she had endured harassment from Akpabio, she was now compelled to speak out. The letter partly read, “Our client does not wish to drag you into the unfortunate situation regarding her allegations against the Senate President and urges you to refrain from involving yourself in these troubling circumstances. While she has endured harassment from the Senate President, she felt compelled to expose the mistreatment she has faced in the Senate under his leadership.”
The letter further stated, “Our client believes that the allegations are personal to the Senate President, and he has the ability to defend himself and challenge any claims made against him.” Akpoti-Uduaghan assured Mrs. Akpabio that she had sufficient evidence to back her claims and advised her to let her husband respond to the allegations to protect her own well-being and that of her family.
“Our client has solid evidence to support her claims. We suggest you leave the defense of the allegations to the Senate President to preserve your sanity and that of your family. Our client is steadfast in advocating for Nigerian women, and as a family woman herself, she will continue to uphold our shared values and heritage.”
