Senator Natasha Akpoti Accuses Senate President Akpabio of Victimisation After Rejecting His Sexual Advances

The Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of victimising her after she rejected his sexual advances. She made the claims during an interview on Friday on Arise TV’s Morning Show. According to Akpoti, she has been treated unfairly and denied privileges because she refused to engage in an inappropriate relationship with Akpabio.

She explained that the tension began during a visit to Akpabio’s home in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in December 2023. She said that on the eve of their birthdays, Akpabio held her hand and showed her around his house.

I noticed that he hastened his pace while still holding my hand, and then he got to a particular sitting room and said, ‘Do you like my house?’ I said, ‘Of course, sir, every room is beautiful.’ He then said, ‘Now that you are a senator, I’m going to create time for us to come and spend quality moments here -you will enjoy it”, she narrated.

Akpoti said she was uncomfortable with his suggestion and later told her husband, who advised her not to revisit Akpabio’s guest house. Akpoti claimed that after rejecting Akpabio’s behaviour, she faced obstacles in the Senate. She compared her experience to a student being punished for refusing a lecturer’s advances.

The senator said in February 2024, she tried to move a motion about corruption at the Ajaokuta Steel Company. She listed the motion five times, but Akpabio blocked it each time, saying it didn’t fit the Senate’s goals. When Akpoti confronted him, Akpabio allegedly told her that she could “enjoy a whole lot” if she “took care of him.”

Before the interview, a heated argument had occurred between the two senators on February 20, 2024, over a seating change in the Senate. Akpoti refused to follow the new seating arrangement and raised an Order 10 complaint, saying her privileges had been violated. Akpabio did not address her complaint and ordered her removal from the chamber instead. Akpoti described this as dehumanising and said it was the breaking point in their ongoing conflict.

Akpoti has also filed a defamation lawsuit against Akpabio, asking for ₦100bn in damages and ₦300m for legal costs. She has asked for her Senate probe to be broadcast live for full transparency. On her Facebook page, Akpoti explained that she had kept quiet about the issue until now.

Reacting to the allegations in an interview with PUNCH Online, the Senate President’s media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo, dismissed the claims as “tissues of lies.” However, this is not the first time a female colleague or associate has accused the Senate President of wrongdoing. In July 2020, Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said she slapped Akpabio, who was then the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for sexually assaulting her.

He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money. [He was] 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”, Joy said.

Her statement had come just days after she accused the minister of fraud. Akpabio denied both claims.

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