Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has asked Mrs Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to stay out of the ongoing controversy surrounding allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against her husband.
The rift between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President began when she refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.
The tension escalated further when she appeared on Arise News on Friday, alleging that Akpabio had been blocking her motions, maligning her and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
Reacting to the claims, Mrs Akpabio dismissed the allegations at a press conference in Abuja, insisting that both families had shared a longstanding cordial relationship, even before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage.
She described the accusations as baseless.
However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, addressed to Mrs Akpabio through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan cautioned her against getting involved in the matter.
Titled, ‘Stay Away from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment and Intimidation Allegation Against Senste President Godswill Akpabio To Safeguard Your Sanity and That of Your Family’, the letter emphasized that the allegations were directed at the Senate President and that he should be left to defend himself.
“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 she has endured in the Red Chambers,” the letter partly read.
Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that she had enough evidence to support her claims, urging Mrs Akpabio to allow her husband to defend himself rather than intervening in the matter.
“Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations. We suggest that you leave the defense of these allegations to the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family,” the letter added.
She reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for Nigerian women, stressing that, as a family woman, she remained dedicated to upholding family values and principles.
