Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central in the Senate, has urged Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to remain out of the claims of sexual harassment and intimidation against her husband.
The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio occurred when she refused to sit in an assigned seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.
Tensions rose further when she appeared on Arise News on Friday, accusing Akpabio of obstructing her motions, maligning her, and frightening her after she allegedly rebuffed his sexual approaches.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio attended a press conference in Abuja to deny the claims against her husband.
She said that both families had a cordial connection for years, long before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage, and that the allegations were unfounded.
However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, delivered to Mrs. Akpabio by her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan encouraged her not to get engaged in the case.
The letter, titled “Stay Away from Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment and Intimidation Allegation Against Sen. President Godswill Akpabio; To Safeguard Your Sanity and That of Your Family,” emphasized that the accusations were personal to the Senate President and that he should be left to defend himself.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that she had endured harassment from Akpabio but was now compelled to speak out.
It partly read, “Our client is not desirous of calling you out into the unfortunate saga concerning her allegations against the Senate President and wishes that you restrain yourself from delving into the obscene circumstances.
While she has tolerated all the harassment from the Senate President, she was constrained to reveal the unfortunate torture and victimization that she has been going through in the red chambers under the hand of the Senate President.
“Consequently, we would like to state that the allegations of our client are personal to the Senate President, and our client believes the Senate President has the capacity to defend himself and refute any of these allegations against him.”
She disclosed that she has enough evidence to back up her claims, urging the wife to allow her husband to defend himself for the sake of her sanity and family.
“Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations. We will suggest that you leave the defense of the allegations for the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family.
“Our client remains resolute in the defense of Nigerian women, and as a family woman, she will continue to maintain our common heritage and family values.
