Akpabio: Ebira Youth Leaders Forum tackles Senator Natasha

The Ebira Youth Leaders Forum has criticised Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

This development comes ahead of the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions inquiry scheduled for March 4, 2025.

During a press conference, Engr Otomio Abdullahi, the forum’s president, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, free from external influences or interference. He believes this approach will demonstrate the Senate’s commitment to integrity and decorum.

Abdullahi also highlighted the Ebira people’s values, emphasizing their respect for authority and tradition of decency.

Abdullahi: “This press conference has become timely and expedient in view of recent happenings in the country’s political environment, which if left unaddressed will not only dent the image of peace-loving, truth bearing Ebira people and our country’s reputation in the comity of nations but tarnish the image of and embarrass the revered office of the Senate President, the Chief presiding officer of the legislature which is the bastion of democracy.

“It must be clearly stated that our ethnic nationality may be Ebira in Kogi State but we are not speaking as ethnic champions, not as tribal warlords who parade the card of “protect your own” but we speak as key stakeholders in the country called Nigeria, with a common interest of protecting our institutions and distance our people from chronic blackmail by overzealous individuals who are bent on playing the old card of “sexual harassment” they are known for over the years, just to manipulate public opinion and have their way.

“We have watched with utmost bewilderment, allegation by the Senator representing Kogi Central, our own Senatorial District by the way, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that she was sexually harassed by the Senate President, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Godswill Akpabio at the residence of the Senate President in Akwa Ibom and other places she claimed.

“According to the Senator, the alleged harassment which dates back to 2023 took place in the presence of her husband, who joined members of the Senate for an engagement ahead of the SP’s birthday who also shares same birthday with Akpoti-Uduaghan, a contradiction we still find difficult to reconcile. How will the Senate President have harrased her in the full glare of her husband who we know as a sighted man? To even make the situation more complex, wife of the Senate President, Her Excellency Ekaette Unoma Akpabio has also come out to say she was at home the day the so called harassment took place and also claimed they do not own any house at Ikot-Ekpene as claimed by Sen Natasha.

“Our Senator has attributed her display of unruly behaviour at the floor of the Senate to alleged victimization over her refusal to yield to the so called advances. How would she claim to be victimized when the Senate President was only carrying out an assignment given to his office by the Senate rule by reassigning seats to the Senators? Is she the first person to be reassigned a seat? Why the unbridled thirst to sit near the principal officers? Why is there so much fixation to sit close to where the camera can easily see her? Is she indirectly telling the world that she is there to play to the gallery and create content in the hallowed chamber as being alleged instead of focusing on providing effective representation to we her constituents? Senator Ireti Kingibe representing the FCT has punctured the allegation of marginalization when she clearly stated that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan has enjoyed much more privilege than the rest of the female Senators.

“Ebira people are known to be orderly, decent, decorous, respectful and obedient to authorities. Her unprovoked outburst at the Hallowed Chamber even while sitting at the wrong seat against the laid down rules smacks of arrogance, infantility, pride and clear disobedience to authorities, It runs in share contradiction to the humility our people are known for.

“It must be clearly put on record that our dear Senator has a long history of playing the card of sexual harassment as her own ploy to curry sympathy from non-discerning minds. His Excellency the Senate President is not the first victim of her malicious allegation. She has done same to former presidential aide Reno Omokri, immediate past governor of our state, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello and several others most of who are now speaking up.

“As at the last count, there were four female Senators in the 10th National Assembly. Why is she the only one singled out by the Senate President for sexual harassment? An Akpabio that has been a Commissioner, Governor for eight years with several women cabinet members and indeed a Minister. Why have we not heard that he was sexually molesting his cabinet members?

“Little wonder none of her female colleagues even the opposition bloc in the Senate has spoken up in her defence. Even past Senators, including Biodun Olujimi have all faulted her childish display of arrogance in the Senate, apparently to be noticed.

“Sen. Natasha apart from the allegations of corruption in the Local Content Committee of the Senate hanging on her neck also has an abysmal performance rating in Kogi Central, with no verifiable record of value for the huge constituency projects she’s entitled to. We therefore unilaterally pass A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE FOR n her for not projecting our true image, always being in the news for the wrong reasons and poor performance.

“Our Demands

1. That her upcoming investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on ground of her unruly behaviour be carried out discreetly without undue influence or interference. That way, the right signal will be sent that the Hallowed Chamber is not a place for rabble-rousers who are scavenging for opportunity to impugn on the integrity and hard-earned image of others to score cheap political points.

“If found guilty, adequate punishment should be meted to her, including suspending her if need be. As her constituents, we will not hesitate to activate the instrument of the law to initiate her recall process at the right time.”