In a dramatic response to s@xual har@ssment allegations leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senate President *Godswill Akpabio* has dismissed the claims as politically motivated, questioning both the timing and credibility of the accusations.
Speaking at an International Women’s Day event in Abuja Akpabio suggested that the allegations only surfaced after Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed from a Senate committee and had her seat changed implying that the claims were driven by political grievances rather than genuine misconduct.
“This is said to have happened on December 8, 2023, a day before my birthday. From that time till now, not my wife, not even Nigerians, ever heard anything about sexual harassment—until her committee was changed,” Akpabio stated.
The Senate President went further, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of previously making similar “unproven” allegations against others, questioning the impact of such claims on the reputation of the Senate.
He also attempted to discredit the accusation by turning to the audience, which included several female attendees, and asked: Have I ever harassed any one of you? Or is it that the person making the accusation thinks you are not beautiful?
Akpabio’s comments have ignited outrage with critics accusing him of trivializing s@xual har@ssment and engaging in victim-blaming tactics. Others argue that his remarks reflect a culture of impunity within Nigerian politics, where powerful men dismiss allegations without thorough investigations.
The controversy has raised serious questions about accountability in the Senate, with Nigerians now divide Is this a politically motivated smear, or another example of how s@xual har@ssment claims are routinely silenced in high places?
