Akpabio: I drove in the same vehicle with Natasha and her husband–Onyekachi Nwaebonyi

According to vanguard, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi has refuted the harassment allegation raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The Deputy Chief Whip dismissed the claim, asserting that no such incident took place during a visit to Akpabio’s residence in December 2023. The accusation had surfaced when Senator Natasha, who represents Kogi Central, alleged that Akpabio made an inappropriate request while showing her around his Ikot-Ekpene home during his birthday celebration.

The senator reiterated her claim during an interview on February 28, 2025, saying Akpabio repeated the request when she later met with him to discuss her motion on the Ajaokuta Steel Company. She stated that her attempt to bring up the matter in the Senate was ignored, and she questioned why her motion was not being considered. The accusation has drawn reactions from different quarters, with some lawmakers responding to clarify the events surrounding the visit.  

Senator Nwaebonyi, in an interview on March 3, 2025, dismissed the claim, saying the alleged incident did not occur. He stated that he was present at the birthday celebration and did not witness any inappropriate behavior from the Senate President. He described the event as a formal gathering attended by several lawmakers and insisted that Senator Natasha’s allegations were baseless. According to him, the Senate President did not move close to her in the manner she described.

He further explained that he traveled with Senator Natasha and her husband from the airport to the event. He stated that they were in the same vehicle, with him in the front seat while the senator and her husband sat in the back. He mentioned that the group attended various activities within Uyo before proceeding to Ikot-Ekpene for the final part of the celebration. He maintained that at no point during the event did he observe any form of harassment.

The allegation has sparked discussions about the dynamics within the Senate and the conduct of lawmakers. Some senators have expressed concerns over the claim, while others have called for a focus on legislative duties rather than personal disputes. The matter has also drawn public interest, with reactions varying on different platforms. While some individuals have supported Senator Natasha’s account, others have questioned the basis of her allegation. 

The Senate leadership has not issued an official statement on the matter, and it remains unclear whether any formal action will be taken. The accusation comes at a time when the Senate is engaged in deliberations on key national issues. Some observers believe that the focus should remain on legislative responsibilities rather than controversies among members. Others argue that allegations of this nature should be thoroughly examined to ensure accountability.

The development has added to ongoing discussions about gender relations in Nigerian politics. Some commentators have pointed out that female politicians often face challenges in asserting their positions within a male-dominated space. Others, however, stress the importance of addressing such matters based on verifiable facts rather than assumptions. The issue continues to generate varied responses, reflecting the complexity of the situation.

He said: “Right from Senator Attah Airport, I drove in the same vehicle with the Senator and her husband. In fact, I was in the front seat while the senator and her husband were in the back seat. We attended a series of programmes with the Senate President within Uyo town. At the end of the day, we moved to Ikot-Ekpene, the hometown of the Senate President.