Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has urged Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to avoid intervening in the ongoing sexual harassment and intimidation allegations she has leveled against her husband.
The controversy began after Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which led to tensions between the two Senators.
In a public interview on Arise News, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused 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 claims as baseless and asserting that their families had maintained a cordial relationship for years.
On March 1, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, sent a letter to Mrs. Akpabio, urging her to refrain from defending her husband in 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”, stressed that the allegations are personal to the Senate President and should be addressed solely by him.
The letter reads: “Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations and suggests that you leave the defense of these allegations to the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her frustration in the letter, stating, “While I have tolerated the harassment from the Senate President, I was constrained to reveal the unfortunate torture and victimization that I have been enduring in the Senate under his leadership.”
She further explained that her decision to speak out was motivated by the need to defend Nigerian women, asserting, “Our client remains resolute in the defense of Nigerian women and, as a family woman, she will continue to uphold our common heritage and family values.”
