The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations surfaced following a heated exchange over seating arrangements in the Senate, raising concerns about the broader impact on the institution’s integrity.
In a statement released Sunday, ACF spokesperson Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba expressed grave concern over the allegations, noting their potential to damage both the Senate’s national and international reputation. The forum emphasized the importance of addressing the claims, which have already sparked public discourse, including comments from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband. ACF further cautioned against any political manipulation, alluding to a broader trend that may involve selective punishment of northern senators in the current Senate.
“The allegations, if unaddressed, risk diminishing the credibility of the Senate at a time when Nigeria is grappling with serious governance challenges,” Muhammad-Baba stated. The forum called for an independent, transparent investigation to clear the air and restore the Senate’s focus on its legislative duties.
Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Chief Whip Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi dismissed the accusations as unfounded. Nwebonyi criticized former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s call for an investigation, arguing that Saraki’s own situation was different and not comparable. “Saraki’s case was rooted in a factual misunderstanding; this is purely a politically motivated claim,” Nwebonyi argued in a Sunday statement.
Public reactions have varied, with former PDP spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan accusing Akpabio of embroiling the Senate in scandal, referring to the allegations as a “Banana Sleaze” incident. Ologbondiyan urged senators to demand Akpabio’s resignation if the allegations were not addressed appropriately. Similarly, Comfort Obi, Editor-in-Chief of The Source Magazine, urged Akpabio to submit to an investigation and clear his name.
Prominent civil rights activist Madubuachi Idam also weighed in, calling for a commission of inquiry and stating that Akpabio should step aside during the investigation. Idam questioned how Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband managed to maintain composure amid such serious allegations, suggesting that the matter could be more damaging than initially perceived.
As the Senate waits for the investigation to begin, the ongoing saga threatens to overshadow the legislative body’s role in addressing Nigeria’s pressing issues. The political stakes remain high, with the future of Akpabio’s leadership in the Senate hanging in the balance.
