Ekaette Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has strongly denied allegations of sexual harassment made against her husband by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In an interview on Friday, Ekaette described Akpabio as a “disciplined and responsible” man who respects both his family and professional boundaries. She dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims as baseless, accusing her of fabricating stories for attention.
The Allegations and Response
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier alleged that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected advances from Akpabio. She claimed that during a visit to his residence in Uyo for his birthday in December 2023, the Senate President made inappropriate moves toward her.
Ekaette, however, refuted this, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, whom she described as a family friend, was present during the visit and would have overheard any such conversation. She also emphasized that Akpabio’s residences in Akwa Ibom are never empty, as security personnel and aides are always present.
“There is no way a man as disciplined as Akpabio would bring a woman to his home in that manner. He has immense respect for me and our children,” Ekaette said. She further noted that Akpabio had worked closely with many women during his tenure as Akwa Ibom governor, and no similar allegations had ever surfaced.
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Senate Dispute and Seating Controversy
The controversy between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan gained traction following a heated exchange in the Senate over a change in seating arrangements on February 20.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also weighed in, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan has received more privileges than any other female senator. In an interview with Arise TV, Kingibe dismissed the seating dispute as trivial, stressing that multiple lawmakers, both male and female, have had their seats reassigned.
“Silence is golden, especially when someone is not following the rules,” Kingibe said, adding that she and other female senators initially refrained from speaking publicly to avoid unnecessary controversy. She emphasized that while the Senate may not be the most gender-friendly institution, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not being treated unfairly.
On the sexual harassment claims, Kingibe refrained from making a direct judgment, stating that she was not close enough to Akpabio to confirm or deny the allegations. However, she revealed that Akpoti-Uduaghan once mentioned a planned discussion with Akpabio, who allegedly suggested meeting at a hotel.
A Growing Political Rift
The ongoing dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to dominate political discussions, raising questions about power dynamics, gender relations, and internal conflicts within the Nigerian Senate.
