Nigeria’s political landscape has once again been rocked by controversy following fresh allegations by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a live interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show today, Natasha accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances towards her in December 2023, even in the presence of her husband, during a visit to Akwa Ibom state.
These claims come more than two years after the alleged incident, following a ₦100.3 billion fundamental human rights lawsuit she had previously filed against the senate president.
While allegations of sexual harassment should never be dismissed outright, it is crucial to critically examine Natasha’s claims against the backdrop of timing, inconsistencies, and the broader political context.
One striking aspect of her accusations is the significant delay in making them public. If the alleged incident occurred on December 18, 2023, why is she speaking out only now in 2025?
If the encounter was as unsettling as she suggests, why did she remain silent for over two years? Why did her revelation come only after she had filed a massive lawsuit against Akpabio?
The long delay raises serious questions about motive and credibility. Natasha confirmed that she, her husband, and some of Akpabio’s close associates traveled to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, for the senate president’s birthday celebrations.
This in itself is curious. What was the nature of their relationship that warranted such an invitation? If she had prior concerns about Akpabio’s behaviour, why did she and her husband accept his hospitality and follow him to his private residence?
According to her account, Akpabio led her on a tour of his house, holding her hand while her husband walked behind them. If the advance was truly inappropriate, why did she not express discomfort immediately or stop the tour?
At what point did her husband, who was present throughout, register any protest? She also claimed that Akpabio allegedly said, “Now that you’re a senator, I’m going to create time for us to come spend quality moments here. You will enjoy it.”
While this statement is suggestive, it does not explicitly imply romantic or inappropriate intent. Many political figures host colleagues for discussions, bonding, and strategic meetings in informal settings.
Could Natasha have misunderstood the statement, or is she deliberately framing it in a manner that suits her narrative?
Another crucial detail is her initial reluctance to share the experience with her husband. If the senate president’s words were as inappropriate as she suggests, why did she struggle to tell her husband the truth?
This hesitation raises doubts about whether she herself believed the words carried the weight she is now ascribing to them. Beyond the allegations, the political undercurrents cannot be ignored.
Natasha’s legal battle with Akpabio and the longstanding tensions between opposition figures and the senate leadership suggest that this could be part of a larger strategy to discredit the senate president.
Akpabio, a seasoned politician and former governor of Akwa Ibom state, has faced various controversies over the years but not of this nature. If there were a pattern of such behaviour, one would expect multiple accusers to have come forward by now.
Instead, we have a lone allegation surfacing conveniently in the middle of a legal battle. Furthermore, Natasha has built a political reputation around activism and confrontation.
While this is not necessarily a flaw, it does make it important to scrutinise her claims with a balanced perspective, ensuring they are not mere tools for political warfare.
Given the gravity of the allegations, concrete evidence is necessary. Mere oral accusations, especially those emerging in the midst of a lawsuit, should not be taken at face value. If Senator Natasha truly believes she was harassed, the appropriate step would be to present credible proof rather than rely on suggestive storytelling.
Akpabio, as the accused, deserves the right to respond to these claims without being prematurely condemned. Nigeria must not become a society where mere allegations are enough to damage reputations, especially in the high-stakes world of politics.
Sexual harassment is a serious issue that must never be trivialised, but it is equally important to guard against politically motivated allegations that could set dangerous precedents. Without tangible proof, Natasha’s claims remain speculative at best and potentially defamatory at worst.
The Nigerian public must approach this matter with critical reasoning rather than emotional reactions, ensuring that justice, whether for the accuser or the accused, is based on facts, not sentiments.