Major opposition parties in Nigeria have called for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down immediately to allow for a transparent and unbiased investigation into the sexual harassment allegations levied against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Joining forces with key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and the Obidient Movement of the Labour Party have urged Akpabio to step aside to ensure fairness in the investigation.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her, which she claims led to her recent conflict with the Senate President. She revealed in an interview on Arise Television that her issue with Akpabio began during a visit to Akwa Ibom for Akpabio’s birthday, where she was allegedly subjected to inappropriate advances. Akpoti-Uduaghan described her experience as akin to “a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”
The conflict between the two escalated when Akpabio allegedly had her Senate seat reassigned without her consent, an incident that led to a disruption during a Senate plenary session. Following the uproar, Akpoti-Uduaghan was referred to the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for a disciplinary review.
- PANDEF Leader, Edwin Clark is dead
- ‘I Have Concrete Evidence’ – Senator Natasha Responds to Akpabio’s Wife Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
In response to the ongoing controversy, opposition parties have called for Akpabio to step aside from his position as Senate President to allow for an impartial investigation. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, called the situation an embarrassment to the Senate, stressing that Akpabio’s position as Senate President makes it difficult for him to preside over his own case. He also emphasized that the Senate needs to focus on pressing national issues, and that Akpabio’s continued leadership amidst the allegations is distracting.
The NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Oladipo Johnson, also supported the demand for Akpabio’s temporary resignation to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation, stating that this would allow for an independent probe.
Similarly, Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the Senate and called for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
On the other hand, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained that the matter should be handled by the Senate and has refrained from intervening. APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru and Deputy National Organising Secretary Nze Chidi Duru both argued that the issue was one for the legislative arm of government to resolve, as Akpoti-Uduaghan is not a member of the APC.
The opposition parties’ calls for Akpabio to step down reflect the growing public concern over the allegations and their potential impact on the reputation of the Senate, demanding that the matter be investigated thoroughly and transparently.
