Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, has alleged that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during an interview with Arise TV on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan compared her experience to that of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing sexual advances.
The dispute between the two lawmakers reportedly escalated after the reassignment of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat at the start of plenary, a change she refused to comply with. However, she claimed the situation stemmed from an earlier encounter with Akpabio in December 2023, when she and her husband visited his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for his birthday celebration.
“The seat change was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Many people don’t know what I’m about to say, but I’m going to speak my truth. The senate president is allowed to counter that,” she said.
Detailing the alleged incident, she recounted that on December 8, 2023, a day before both her and Akpabio’s birthdays, they were at his house in Uyo. She claimed Akpabio took her by the hand under the pretense of showing her around his home while her husband followed closely behind.
“He held my hands and said he wanted to show me around his house. My husband was walking behind us, just the three of us,” she narrated.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio walked her through different rooms and, at one point, told her, “Now that you are a senator, I’m going to create time for us to come and spend quality moments here. You will enjoy it.” She said she immediately pulled away, not understanding his intentions.
Her husband, who had been following closely, inquired about what Akpabio said, but she declined to disclose it at the time. However, following the encounter, her husband reportedly warned her against traveling alone or visiting the Senate President’s guest house.
The senator also alleged that when she later confronted Akpabio in his office over the repeated stepping down of her motions, he responded by suggesting she could “enjoy a whole lot if she takes care of him.”
Efforts to get a response from Akpabio’s special adviser on media and public affairs, Eseme Eyiboh, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages from TheCable.
