Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has advised Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to avoid getting involved in the ongoing allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against her husband.
The situation has intensified in recent days, attracting national attention as both parties continue to make public statements.
The dispute reportedly began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules. The matter escalated further after she appeared on Arise News last Friday, where she accused Senate President Akpabio of blocking her motions, tarnishing her reputation, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his advances.
Following these claims, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, where she dismissed the allegations as false. She noted that their families had shared a long-standing cordial relationship, even before Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage.
However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, and sent through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged Mrs. Akpabio to stay out of the issue, stating that the allegations were personal to the Senate President and that he should be left to address them on his own.
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,” made it clear that she did not want Mrs. Akpabio to involve herself in the matter.
The letter read in part: “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.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also stated that she has solid evidence to back her claims and urged Mrs. Akpabio to allow her husband to respond to the allegations 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 added.
The senator reaffirmed her dedication to standing up for Nigerian women and upholding family values.
“Our client remains resolute in the defense of Nigerian women and as a family woman, she will continue to maintain our common heritage and family values,” she stated.
