Senate President Godswill Akpabio has clarified her relationship with Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, her husband.

 

Akpabio has been embroiled in controversy following a sexual harassment allegation made by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.

 

The allegation followed a heated argument between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan at the upper chamber on February 20 over seating arrangements.

 

Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, also said Akpabio continued to harass his wife despite his agreement with him as a friend.

 

Subsequently, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review, and the senator was suspended for six months.

 

During the senate plenary on Thursday, Akpabio addressed the sexual harassment allegations, adding that he endured discomfort when he attended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s wedding in 2022.

 

The senate president said he was stranded and had to sleep at the Dangote cement factory in Obajana in Kogi state for three days with nine others due to poor electricity at the airport.

 

“I only have my wife and children to contend with. Even the senator we are discussing is the wife of my close friend and brother, so I thought,” he said.

 

“On the day of her marriage, I slept in Kogi in her house. The next day, I ran to Obajana airport. I missed my flight because the plane could not land since there was no light.

 

“I ended up sleeping at Dangote cement factory with nine people. I spent three days there. Even when Senator Nwaebonyi attempted to say that he was present in the same car, the social media said he was lying.”

 

He said the issues raised by Akpoti-Uduaghan have brought the assembly into disrepute.

 

“But we have been taken to the floor. We are being dragged to the floor,” Akpabio added.

 

Addressing concerns on why he still presides during plenary despite the allegation, Akpabio said as senate president, he is obligated to continue to supervise and direct sessions.

“I have the responsibility. If you look at the rules of the senate, the rule which is an extension of the Nigeria constitution give me the power under section 20, subsection h and i,” he said.

 

“That the senate president shall be responsible for the observance of the rules of debate. He shall give rulings on points of order or of constitution raised during debate. Above all, he is the only person to interprete the rules.

 

“That is why I stayed here. I’m in the best position to interprete the rules of the senate because I have the constitutional power enshrined in this.”