The wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, has vowed to take legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment leveled against her husband. In a strongly worded response, Mrs. Akpabio dismissed the claims as baseless, questioning the motivation behind the accusation.
Expressing her disbelief, Mrs. Akpabio stated that the allegations were not only shocking but also unfounded, emphasizing that her family has had a long-standing relationship with Natasha’s husband, even before their marriage.
“Natasha’s husband is our friend, even before he got married to her. So, I really don’t understand where this is coming from. For someone to make such an allegation, there must have been a discussion at home with the husband—some form of sanction or approval. If Natasha’s husband, our friend, had approved this claim, he would have spoken to me because we are close, and he is also close to my husband. But if he didn’t, then the question is: does he even have control over her?” she questioned.
Read Also: Senator Natasha accuses Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment
Mrs. Akpabio further asserted that the alleged incident could not have taken place, as she was present at their family residence on December 8, 2023, the supposed date of the incident. She emphasized that their home is always occupied, especially when the Senate President is around, making any form of misconduct impossible.
“Security personnel are always present. The house is never empty, whether in the village or Uyo. There were people at home that night, and I personally served guests. If anything untoward had happened, it would have been noticed,” she explained.
Defending her husband’s integrity, Mrs. Akpabio praised his respect for women and his dedication to public service.
“My husband was a state governor who worked with many women. He has always encouraged women in politics, yet no one has ever made such allegations against him. He is a disciplined and responsible man. It is unacceptable for women to make false allegations, and I will pursue legal action to clear his name,” she declared.
Mrs. Akpabio urged women in politics to uphold integrity, warning against using baseless claims for political advantage.
“If you know you can’t stand the heat in politics, then step aside. My husband has always told me, ‘I am here to serve my people, and they will throw all sorts of things at me.’ But we will not allow lies to prevail,” she concluded.
It will be recalled that Sen. Natasha accused the Senate President of making sexual advances towards her, claiming that her refusal was the genesis of her denial of privileges on the floor of the house. Natasha made these allegations on Arise TV.
As tensions rise, the controversy surrounding these allegations is expected to spark further debate within Nigeria’s political landscape.
