FLASHBACK: How Akpabio Was Slapped For Alleged Sexual Harassment

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has again found himself in a sexual harassment claim after a series of previous controversies, including an allegation from former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh.

The latest allegation made by a senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, came after a clash in the chamber during plenary.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had said she resumed plenary and was told her seat had been changed, to which she raised a point of order on the floor as provided by the rule of the senate concerning her privileges.

Rather than hear her out, Akpabio threatened that she should be “thrown out of the senate” and a section of the senate rule should be read to her for suspension.

The senator, however, stood her ground and made her case heard. Akpabio, in a statement, later said the Senate would not suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Kogi senator has also approached the court in a suit for what she called defamation by Akpabio and his aide after what she said was an attack on her person in a post on social media.

Feeling pressed that the senate chamber had become toxic, the senator decided to bear her mind on Friday.

While speaking on Arise TV, she accused Akpabio of hectoring her and frequently talking to her in a brusque manner.

A visibly emotional Akpoti-Uduaghan then revealed that she was sexually harassed in 2023, a day before Akpabio’s birthday, when they went to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the celebration.

The senator added that the Uyo sexual harassment was not the first, as there was a nightclub incident. She said, “The nightclub incident—I believe that that was not a slip of the tongue. He has several times told me there are various ways we can have fun if we travel.

“So that nightclub incident statement was not a mistake. It was more like out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” the senator said.

The senator was referencing the incident of July 2023, during the plenary, when Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan commented on a motion without the permission of the senate president.

Akpabio, in his attempt to correct her for what he said was an act of misconduct, told her to follow the rules and that the “Senate is not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow.”

The former Akwa Ibom senator later apologised, saying, “I will not intentionally denigrate any woman, and I always pray that God will uplift women.”.

“Distinguished Senator Natasha, I want to apologise to you.

“The interest shown in the social media shows that we have enemies. I felt I should tender a public apology to you. I do not mean any harm. People should concentrate on things that will move this country forward.

NDDC Boss Accuses Akpabio Of Sexual Harassment

In July 2020, Joy Nunieh, former acting managing director of the NDCC, claimed she slapped Akpabio, who was then the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for sexually assaulting her.

Nunieh explained what transpired behind the scenes in her bid to defend the NDDC budget, saying, “Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only Ogoni woman, the only Nigerian woman that has slapped him. I slapped him because of his plan B. Since he couldn’t get me to take that money, he thought that he could come up on me.

“He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money…by somebody telling me that he will make me the substantive MD. Akpabio’s meetings with me were either at Apo or Meridien…Yes, I am accusing him of sexual harassment.”

Akpabio later denied sexually harassing Nunieh, saying unnamed individuals “afraid of the Forensic Audit at the NDDC” sponsored Nunieh to tarnish his image.

A statement by Anietie Ekong, his Special Assistant on Media, said, “There is no scintilla of truth in all the allegations peddled around by Ms Nunieh.

“They are simply false! The Honourable Minister did not at any time, place or circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms Nunieh, not even to put himself in a position or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms Nunieh or any female staff of his ministry or the NDDC.”

FLASHBACK: How Akpabio Was Slapped For Alleged Sexual Harassment is first published on The Whistler Newspaper