Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in the Senate, has urged Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to refrain from involving herself in the ongoing allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against her husband.
The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President came to public attention after the senator declined to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules. The conflict escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise News, accusing Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her, and intimidating her following her alleged rejection of his sexual advances.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, dismissing the allegations and describing them as baseless. She asserted that both families had shared a cordial relationship for years and questioned the credibility of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims.
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, emphasizing that the accusations were personal to the Senate President.
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,” stated:
“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 which she has been going through in the red chambers under the hand of the Senate President.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan asserted that she has substantial evidence to support her allegations, urging Mrs. Akpabio to allow her husband to defend himself.
“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 read.
The senator reiterated her commitment to defending Nigerian women and upholding family values, stating that her actions were motivated by a desire to address systemic issues within the Senate.
