Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday said Kogi Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, took sexual allegations against him to the global stage, adding such action can discourage women being appointed in key positions.
Mr Akpabio during plenary on Thursday accused Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of distorting facts when she reported the matter on a global stage and embarrassed the Senate.
“I am aware that she distorted the facts and globalised the matter, embarrassing the Senate by giving a different narrative,” Mr Akpabio said. “I appreciate Hon Kafilat for clarifying to the international media that what was presented was completely different from the reality.”
Mr Akpabio claim Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan did not let the Senate handle her sexual harassment allegations against him, adding her action could block women from political opportunities.
“She brought the matter before the Senate through a petition but did not allow us to examine it. Instead, she took it to court and later to the international community. Actions like these could discourage politicians from appointing women into key positions,” Mr Akpabio said.
The Senate President’s statement was in reaction to Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appearance before the UN Inter-Parliamentary Union in New York to demand justice over her controversial suspension from the Senate following her allegation of sexual harassment against Mr Akpabio.
She said, “I thought by submitting the petition, he’ll recuse himself, and both of us will submit ourselves to the committee on ethics, privileges, and petition for a transparent and fair investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and suspended.”
“This is a typical crisis of women’s representation,” Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan declared at an IPU meeting held in the UN headquarters on Tuesday. “My suspension isn’t about me; it’s about the systemic institution of women in politics in Nigeria.”
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