National
Natasha’s Husband Breaks Silence On Akpabio’s Sexual Advances
… Reveals he earlier approached Akpabio to leave his ‘joy’ alone
… Saraki calls for transparent probe
… South-South women protest Natasha’s alleged disrespect to Akpabio, demands apology
By Abubakar Yunusa
High Chief Emmanuel O. Uduaghan, husband of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has raised concerns over what he describes as the continued harassment of his wife by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, despite an earlier agreement to resolve the matter amicably.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Uduaghan said he had initially refrained from commenting on the issue but felt compelled to speak due to recent developments that he believes are distracting from the core allegations.
“Without prejudice to the ongoing legal proceedings, I wish to emphasize that my wife was duly elected by her people due to the immense love, respect, and confidence they have in her, and she is committed to delivering quality representation to her district and the nation at large,” he said.
Uduaghan described his wife as a devoted partner and reaffirmed his trust in her, stating that she has remained truthful even in the face of adversity.
He revealed that after learning of her concerns about the Senate President, he took steps to address the matter directly.
“My wife has confided in me about her interactions with the Senate President, whom I considered a family friend. In response, I approached the matter with the utmost maturity and responsibility, as it is my duty as a traditional leader who respects constituted authority and upholds core family values,” Uduaghan stated.
According to him, he personally met with Akpabio and urged him to treat his wife with respect, emphasizing the importance of their long-standing friendship.
“We reached an understanding and agreed to resolve the issue amicably,” he added.
However, Uduaghan claimed that despite this agreement, the alleged harassment had persisted.
“Despite this agreement, my wife continues to express concerns about the harassment she has endured from the Senate President,” he said.
He called on the Senate leadership to ensure that his wife is treated with dignity.
“I now respectfully urge the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate President to treat my beloved wife with the respect and dignity she truly deserves while the relevant authorities and the court determine the underlying issues,” he added.
Saraki calls for transparent probe
Bukola Saraki, former senate president, has called for a transparent investigation into allegations at the heart of the clash between Godswill Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The fray between Akpabio, the senate president, and Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, started over a recent seat re-arrangement in the red chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan fought fiercely against her new seat position following the re-arrangement, alleging that the move was an attempt to silence her.
The clash reached a crescendo on Friday after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.
“Mine is the case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” she said.
The allegation spurred reactions from notable Nigerians, including a lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan by Ekaette Akpabio, the senate president’s wife.
Others have called for an investigation into the claims made by the Kogi senator.
Adding his voice to the debate, Saraki, in a post on social media, said the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions must probe the allegation tabled by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He added that “both parties must submit to the investigation, fully cooperate with the committee, and stake their claims before it”.
‘This is not the first time a Senate President would appear before the Committee to aid it in the conduct of a transparent and open investigation,” the post reads.
“I remember during the 8th Senate when a Senator claimed that I imported an official car for my use as Senate President and that customs duty was not paid on the vehicle. Since I knew the claim was false, the matter was referred to the Ethics Committee and I appeared before the committee to testify, in the full glare of the media.
“From my testimony, it was clear the Senator who made the allegation got his facts wrong and was only being mischievous.
“Also, on the day the committee submitted its report for debate on the floor, I stepped down and allowed my deputy to preside. The transparent manner in which the investigation and the debate on the report were handled assured everybody that there was no case. This is a precedent that the leadership of the 10th Senate should follow.”
“The due process should be followed in this case, such that where anybody is found to have committed any wrong, the wrong should be pointed out and corrected. Also, the right remedy should be made.”
South-South women protest Natasha’s alleged disrespect to Akpabio, demands apology
Concerned South South Women group, on Saturday, took to the streets of Yenagoa in protest of what they described as a disrespectful behavior by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, towards the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a recent plenary session.
The protesting women holding placards with the inscriptions, “Natasha Disgracing Niger Delta Women”, “Natasha Focus on Solutions Not Insults”, “Senator Natasha The Content Creator” and others, condemned her alleged behavior, and demanded that she publicly apologize or face disciplinary action based on Senate rules.
Addressing journalist at the Oxbow lake pavilion, in Yenagoa, where the protest terminated, the leader of the women group, Hon. Ebiere Akpobesa, expressed disappointment over the senator’s action by ignoring the Senate’s seating arrangements and raising her voice even after being ruled out of order.
She also criticized her refusal to leave the chamber when asked, and described her actions as inappropriate for a lawmaker.
She said, “We, the members of this group, are not comfortable with the rude and unethical behavior exhibited by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against our revered Senate President. The rules are meant to be obeyed and she cannot consider herself above the law by flouting the laid-down procedures of the Senate.
“She ought to know that unless the Senate President recognizes her, she cannot speak. This is not a lawless country or a chaotic parliament where everyone speaks at will. Her decision to continue addressing the Senate after the gavel had been struck overruling her was highly uncivilized.”
Akpobesa who commended Senate President Akpabio for his leadership and commitment to women empowerment, insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan should be sanctioned and suspended until she apologizes to Akpabio, the Senate, and the South-South region. She warned that failure to apologize would make her an enemy of South-South women.
She further called on female politicians to uphold respect and dignity in governance, saying African women are known for their decorum and should set good examples in public service.
“You cannot talk back to the Senate President as if he is your contemporary. The Senate President is the first among equals and wields enormous legal authority. Disobedience to the orders of the Senate President is an act of contempt and is punishable under the rules of the Senate.
“We will not allow this young woman to disrespect our pride- the number three citizen of Nigeria and the leader of the South-South and Niger Delta”, Akpobesa said.
National
Insecurity: APC Forum Accuses Governor Dauda Of Failing to Protect Citizens Amid Party’s Abductions
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the recent abduction of five party chieftains by armed bandits, accusing Governor Dauda Lawal of failing in his responsibility to protect citizens.
The kidnapped individuals, all from Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, were reportedly taken on Saturday while travelling to the Marafa area of the state.
The abductees include Yahaya Sani Dogon Kade, chairman of Dan Isah ward, Bello Dealer, chairman of Sakajiki ward, and three others whose names have not yet been released.
In a statement on Monday, its spokesperson Muhammed Ismaila Kaura criticised the governor’s handling of security in the state.
“As the chief security officer of the state, Governor Dauda Lawal bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation,” Kaura said.
“Unfortunately, he has failed to live up to this duty. This is not the time for excuses, blame games, or empty rhetoric. It is a time for decisive action.”
The party called for immediate and effective measures to secure the release of its members and to tackle the growing wave of banditry in the state.
“The people of Zamfara are tired of living in fear. We are tired of leaders who offer nothing but excuses while our brothers and sisters are being kidnapped, killed, and displaced. The time for action is now,” Kaura added.
The APC also urged security agencies to intensify efforts in tracking down the perpetrators and ensuring justice for the victims.
“This reprehensible act is not only an assault on the affected individuals and their families but also a direct attack on the peace and stability of our dear state,” the statement continued.
The forum reaffirmed its solidarity with the families of the abducted persons and vowed to continue pressing for their safe return.
“To the criminals behind this heinous act, let it be clear: Zamfara State belongs to its people, not to bandits. Your reign of terror must come to an end. And to the Governor, we say: act now, or history will remember you as a leader who failed his people in their time of greatest need.”
There has been no official response from the state government regarding the abductions. However, insecurity has remained a pressing issue in Zamfara, with frequent attacks by armed groups targeting both civilians and public officials under Governor Dauda lawal
The spokesperson for the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has said that the sexual harassment allegation by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is not before the Senate.
Adaramodu made this disclosure while speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday.
He also maintained that the only case before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition is Akpoti-Uduaghan not complying with the Senate standing orders.
He said, “The only matter before the Senate is between Senator Natasha and the rest of the senators, that she is not complying with the standing orders of the Senate. No other issues.
Then, if there is anything that comes tomorrow about any senator in the National Aseembly, the ethics, privileges and public petition committee will review once it is referred to them. It is going to be taken as an internal affair.
“In the hallowed chamber, whatever we do or say is not actionable in the court, so because of that, the committee will treat the issue as it comes.
“The Senate does not run the committee with senators. The Senate President does not even run with its members. It is an independent committee.”
Details Later
National
Akpabio’s alleged sexual scandal: female CSOs demand Akpabio’s resignation for impartial investigation
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Coalition of Female Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria has called for the immediate and unconditional resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged sexual scandals involving Senator Natasha of Kogi State and other related cases from the past.
The coalition stated that it is to allow for an unbiased, thorough, and fair investigation into the allegations.
A statement issued on Monday by the Coalition of female CSOs signed by its coordinators from the six geopolitical zones of the country expressed concern over the allegations leveled against the Senate President for sexual assault by his colleague, Senator Natasha.
The Coordinators who signed the statement are Amina Usman Zubairu-North West, Falmata Babagana Gire-North East, Oyindamola Ojulari-
South West, Chinelo Emeka Augustin-
South East, Prisca Planknan Auta-North Central and Linda Emonefe-South South.
The group described the allegations as heavy, embarrassing, and an abuse of the Senator’s gender existence as a woman, saying, “Unless the Senate President had another motive (sexual harassment, which he is accused of) he had no justification for walking Senator Natasha out and threatening her with suspension or impeachment for rejecting a seating arrangement, something he did under Saraki’s leadership, and he wasn’t met with similar action.”
The Coalition, citing a newspaper report from the Whistler stated that Senator Akpabio has always had issues with women, stated that in 2022, a sexual assault allegation was made against him by former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh.
According to her, the statement explained that Akpabio promised to make her “NDDC substantive MD”, saying that it’s the same tactics Senator Natasha has accused Akpabio of, that if she acquiesced to sexual gratification, that she could “enjoy a whole lot in the Senate.”
The statement added that he (Akpabio) also talked down on another female colleague, Senator Kingib, during plenary and denied her the opportunity to contribute.
As a Female Civil Society Organisation that is gender sensitive, the statement explained, “we frown at these behaviors of the Senate President, we condemn them and also call for his resignation as Senate President to allow for uninterrupted investigations.”
As a subject of investigations into sexual harassment allegations, the group said that Akpabio should step aside and cannot be a judge in his own case, believing that his presence as the Senate President can compromise the course of investigation.
The group promised to come out next week with about 5,000 in number and shut down activities of the National Assembly in anger on Akpabio’s relationship with women if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.
The also called on the National Human Rights Commission, Ethics and Privilege Committee of the National Assembly and other international bodies fighting against gender discrimination and sexual harassment of women to investigate Senator Akpabio, for this allegation and previous ones, saying that an injury to one, is an injury to all.