Politics

Akpabio’s Wife Speaks On Natasha’s Sexual Allegations Against Husband

BySodiq Lawal

PublishedFebruary 28, 2025

The wife of the Senate President, Unoma Akpabio, has accused Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to tarnish her husband’s image through allegations of sexual misconduct.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had alleged during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Friday that Senate President Godswill Akpabio made inappropriate advances towards her during a visit to his Akwa Ibom residence on 8th December 2023.

The lawmaker recounted how, in the presence of her husband, Akpabio held her hand and suggested she spend “special moments” at his residence.

She claimed that her rejection of these advances has led to continued attempts to undermine her in the Senate.

Reacting to the allegations, Mrs Akpabio dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims as baseless, accusing her of fabricating the story for personal and political gain.

“My husband is a disciplined and jovial man. People tend to misinterpret his actions, and this is just another example of someone twisting the truth for attention,” she said.

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The allegations have intensified an already strained relationship between the two senators, which came to the fore on 20th February 2025 when Akpabio ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal from the Senate chamber over a dispute about seating arrangements.

She was later referred to the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee for alleged misconduct.

Women’s rights organisations, including Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), have condemned Akpabio’s actions, describing them as part of a larger issue of gender-based discrimination in Nigerian politics.

This is not the first time Akpabio has faced similar accusations. In July 2020, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh, alleged that she slapped him for sexual harassment during a meeting.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has insisted on a public hearing before the Ethics Committee to ensure transparency, vowing to reveal more details about Akpabio’s conduct.

Sodiq Lawal

Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.