Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPDN) has responded to allegations made by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement released on Monday, CNPDN’s Executive Director, Francis Okereke Wainwei, characterized the accusations as an attempt to shift focus from ongoing disciplinary proceedings related to a seating arrangement dispute in the Senate.
On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Akpabio of making s3xual advances toward her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom. The claims have ignited significant debate among Nigerians, leading to a lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan filed by Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife, and calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
These accusations followed a contentious exchange between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan in the Senate on February 20, where she objected to her designated seat and challenged Akpabio’s authority, prompting a referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary action.
Wainwei urged the Senate to concentrate on its constitutional duties rather than becoming sidetracked by the s3xual allegations.
“This call is necessitated by the strength of our findings, which revealed that the primary aim of the s3xual harassment allegation might be to escape punishment from the senate committee on ethics and privileges, which is investigating Natasha for breach of the rules of the senate,” the statement reads.
“It seems to be a desperate attempt to divert attention from her disciplinary proceedings. She is trying to manipulate the senate and the Nigerian people to avoid punishment for her unruly behaviour.
“It is our highly considered opinion that the s3xual harassment allegation is a grand ploy by Senator Natasha to escape punishment from the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges for her flagrant breach of the Senate rules.
“She wants to use the s3xual harassment allegation to distract the Senate committee and attract sympathy from both the Senate and the Nigerian people as a victim of illegitimate use of power by the Senate President.”
