Shehu Sani, Aisha Yesufu, others react as Natasha accuses Akpabio of sexual harassment 

Nigerians have weighed in on the allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) on Friday accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of victimising her because she refused him sex. 

 

The Kogi lawmaker said in an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show that her altercation with Akpabio began with his request for a sexual relationship between them which she declined. 

 

The allegation has divided netizens especially because of the previous records of the two senators. 

 

Akpabio 

 

For Akpabio, this is not the first time he has been accused of sexual harassment. In July 2020, Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), claimed she slapped Akpabio, who was then the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for sexually assaulting her.

 

“Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only Ogoni woman, the only Nigerian woman that has slapped him. I slapped him because of his plan B. Since he couldn’t get me to take that money, he thought that he could come up on me,” while entertaining questions on an Arise TV programme at the time.

 

“He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money…by somebody telling me that he will make me the substantive MD. Akpabio’s meetings with me were either at Apo or Meridien…Yes, I am accusing him of sexual harassment.”

 

Natasha 

 

For Natasha, in 2021 she accused social media influencer Reno Omokri of making sexual advances at her. But it turned out that the day she alleged he made the move, he was out of the country, per the stamp on his travel passport, although she has disputed it. 

 

“I rejected your silly advances in 2014 at the Villa’s banquet hall during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reciprocated visit… I gave you a fake name and a false contact number but,” she said on her social media handles at the time. 

 

But Omokri provided evidence to deflate the accusations from the beautiful politician. Evidence from his travel passport shows that he was in the United States at the time Uhuru Kenyatta paid the reciprocal visit to then President Goodluck Jonathan. There is also a time-stamped photograph he said he took with his son in the United States at the exact date of the banquet.

 

Nigerians weigh in 

 

Meanwhile, Nigerians have offered their two cents on the latest  controversy. 

 

@AishaYesufu said: “From #SexForGrades to #SexForMotion. When will Nigerian women be safe?” 

 

@ShehuSani said: “It’s unfortunate that the senate Issue was simply about seat and now about bed. Need for caution and restraint.” 

 

@DrDamages said: “Based on what Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan told AriseTV this morning, it turns out that I was right. Nigeria’s Senate president Godswill Akpabio is in love with Natasha. A prophet is not recognized in his own village.” 

 

@morolaoluwa said: “These allegations are very grave. I hope they can be substantiated in court.This is Nigeria, where anything goes sha.”