THE AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM (ACF) has raised concerns over the growing controversy in Nigeria’s 10th Senate, warning that the allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan could severely damage the institution’s reputation.
The ACF, in a statement, called for an independent and transparent investigation into the matter, stressing that the integrity of the Senate must not be compromised.
The controversy, which has gained significant traction in public discourse, began after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances towards her. She alleged that her refusal to comply led to deliberate acts of victimisation, including the relocation of her seat in the Senate chamber and repeated attempts to suppress her legislative motions. The Explainer gathered that tensions escalated when Akpabio ordered security officials to remove her from the chamber, an action that was halted by fellow lawmakers.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan detailed her experience, alleging that the Senate President attempted to lure her into a private relationship during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom. She said, “He held my hand and said he wanted to show me around his house… Then he said, ‘Now that you are a senator, I’m going to create time for us to come spend quality moments here. You will enjoy it.’” She further claimed that Akpabio later stalled her motion on Ajaokuta Steel Company as a form of retaliation for rejecting his advances.
The Ajaokuta Steel Company, established in 1979, has remained largely non-operational despite significant government investment. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content, has been a prominent advocate for its revitalisation. She announced that rehabilitation efforts are set to commence in the first quarter of 2025, a move she believes will create numerous jobs and substantially boost Nigeria’s economy.. However, she alleged that her motion to investigate the steel complex’s mismanagement was repeatedly blocked by the Senate President.
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“Each time the motion was listed, he would let time drag so that it would not be taken. He told me, ‘You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me,’” she stated.
The ACF, in its statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, warned that the unfolding scandal could erode public trust in the Senate at a time when Nigerians are facing dire economic conditions.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, inflation surged to 24.4% in January 2025, further worsening living conditions. The forum lamented that rather than addressing these pressing national challenges, the Senate has been embroiled in a scandal that threatens to overshadow its legislative responsibilities.
The Explainer gathered that the ACF is also concerned about what it perceives as a pattern of disciplinary actions against northern senators in the 10th Senate. The forum questioned whether the recent suspensions and punitive measures imposed on lawmakers from the North were coincidental or part of a broader political agenda.
It stated, “It does seem that to date, only Senators from the North have been subjected to heavy sanctions, such as suspensions, in the 10th Senate. ACF wonders if the unfolding events constitute a pattern or are cruel coincidences at work!”
While Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations have sparked national outrage, Senate President Akpabio’s wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, has dismissed them as falsehoods. She asserted that her husband has always maintained a respectful relationship with the senator and described the accusations as an attempt to tarnish his image.
“These claims are completely unfounded. My husband has been a champion for women’s inclusion in governance long before he became Senate President,” she said. She further warned that legal action would be taken against what she termed the reckless spread of misinformation.
Despite these denials, the ACF has insisted that the only way to resolve the controversy is through a fair and independent investigation. It urged the Northern Caucus in the Senate to ensure that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is granted a fair hearing and treated with dignity.
The forum also called on all members of the National Assembly to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, warning that failure to do so would further erode the credibility of the legislature.
