Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that the claims only surfaced after a change in Senate Committee leadership.
Speaking at the 2025 International Women’s Day ceremony, Akpabio emphasized the Senate’s commitment to advancing gender equality and removing barriers to women’s progress in Nigeria.
Akpabio questioned the credibility of the allegations, noting that neither he, his wife, nor any Nigerian had heard of them until after the change in leadership.
He also pointed out that even Senator Natasha’s husband was unaware of the allegations until after she was removed from her committee position.
The controversy between Akpabio and Senator Natasha escalated when the Kogi senator was suspended for six months for allegedly violating Senate rules.
Akpabio proposed a legislative solution to increase female representation in government, citing examples from Tanzania, South Africa, and Malawi, where parliamentary seats are constitutionally reserved for women.
Senator Natasha’s husband, High Chief Emmanuel O. Uduaghan, has publicly confirmed that his wife had confided in him about the alleged harassment, and he had confronted Akpabio about the issue.
The allegations have sparked debate and heightened political tensions in Nigeria.
