A group of demonstrators under the banner of Women for Change Vanguard gathered at the United Nations office in Abuja on Friday. The protesters, mostly women, voiced their concerns over the ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The demonstrators carried banners with messages such as “We believe in actual victims of sexual harassment, not people who weaponise it” and “The burden of proof lies with the accuser.” They demanded that Akpoti-Uduaghan provide evidence to support her claims of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
This demonstration came just a day after Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a contempt charge against Akpabio and others over her six-month suspension from the Senate without pay. The senator had previously taken her grievances to an international forum, the United Nations-backed International Parliamentary Union, where she alleged that her suspension was politically motivated.
Her troubles in the Senate began on March 6, following a dispute over a new seating arrangement. She argued that the change was deliberately designed to undermine her. The situation escalated further when she publicly accused Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
Speaking to UN officials in Abuja, Irene Umoh, the leader of the protesting group, stated that the demonstration was necessary to challenge what they believe to be a pattern of baseless accusations. She noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims could harm not only the accused but also weaken the credibility of real victims of sexual violence.
“This is not the first time Senator Natasha has made serious allegations against a prominent figure. Such actions risk becoming a weapon she wields against men in power, undermining the core principles of our fight against sexual violence,” Umoh said.
She further noted that false accusations could have severe consequences, making it harder for genuine victims to be taken seriously.
“Our peaceful protest today is not merely about demanding justice, and it is also about holding both parties accountable. Senator Akpabio must have the opportunity to clear his name, while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must provide evidence that she was sexually abused,” she added.
The protesters urged the United Nations to ensure that due process is followed and that accusations are backed by verifiable proof before being accepted as fact. They insisted that justice should be fair to all, regardless of gender or political position.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the UN, Senior Human Rights Advisor Adwoa Kufuor assured the protesters that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate departments within the organization.
