Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation traumatised him and the entire Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday suspended for six months by the Senate over alleged misconduct and breach of relevant standing orders.
She however said the suspension which she described as an injustice would not be sustained.
Akpabio described the allegation as “useless” saying it was prompted by a change in her seat within the Red Chamber and her reassignment to another committee.
He also claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, had traumatized him and other Senators with her useless accusations.
Speaking at an event commemorating International Women’s Day in Abuja, Akpabio maintained his innocence and suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims were motivated by her committee reassignment and seat re-allocation.
Akpabio said: “It was only yesterday that I realised that what we are talking about only happened when there was a change of seat.
“That is when hell was let loose, and all sorts of allegations came up – only after the change of seat and change of committee, which my Senators know happens from time to time.”
Referring to the timeline of events, he added: “This is said to have happened on December 8, a day before my birthday, which was celebrated in the stadium in 2023.
So from December 8, 2023, I never heard, my wife never heard, no Nigerian ever heard, even her husband never heard any issue of sexual harassment – until her committee was changed, and then her seat was changed.”
Akpabio further questioned the veracity of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, stating that none of her past accusations had been proven.
“Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman to the other people she has accused in the past?
“None has been proven so far. Do you even wonder about the trauma this caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations? I have refrained from making a statement.”
Addressing the audience at the event, Akpabio pointed to the women present and remarked, “Look at these beautiful women. They have come across me so many times. Have I ever harassed any one of you? Or is the person thinking that you are not beautiful?”
