- Prominent Nigerians demanded a thorough inquiry into the allegations, intensifying the controversy surrounding the Senate leadership.
- Afenifere warned against undermining Akpabio based on “unverified allegations,” emphasising his role in maintaining political stability.
Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural and political association under Reuben Fasoranti’s leadership, has commented on the allegations at the core of the dispute between Godswill Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The disagreement between Akpabio, who is the senate president, and Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator for Kogi central, stemmed from a recent seat reshuffling in the legislative chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan strongly opposed the adjustment of her seat after the restructuring, alleging that the decision was made to silence her contributions in the senate.
On February 25, the legislative body directed Akpoti-Uduaghan to the ethics, privileges, and public petitions committee for an evaluation concerning disciplinary matters.
On February 28, she publicly accused the senate president of making inappropriate advances toward her in both his office and his residence located in Akwa Ibom.
The accusation generated significant reactions from prominent Nigerians, leading to a legal action being initiated against the Kogi senator by Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the senate president.
Several individuals have called for a proper inquiry to be conducted regarding the allegations presented by the senator representing Kogi central.
In an official statement by Kole Omololu, the national organising secretary of the Fasoranti-led faction, the group warned against undermining Akpabio based on “unverified allegations.”
The faction expressed its belief that a “committed patriot” like him should not be sacrificed on the “altar of unproven allegations by an accuser.”
While recognising the necessity of a senate committee investigation, the group highlighted the timing of the accusations, which coincided with disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“We in Afenifere note and appreciate the political stability engendered by the calm, thoughtful, and patriotic leadership of the National Assembly by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio,” the statement reads.
“He has been most instrumental in engineering one of the few eras in the history of democratic governance in Nigeria where we have enjoyed Executive/Legislative synergy.”
“Hopefully, this is not a knee-jerk reaction made in a highly emotional state by the disciplined party.”
“That being the case, the nation has to be careful in assessing these allegations, as they may or may not result from animosity toward that disciplinary measure.”
“But whatever the case, Afenifere, without passing any judgment on the accuser and her accusations, based on his history and credibility, extends the right hand of fellowship to Senator Godswill Akpabio and commends him for being a steady hand during these times of political, economic, and social reforms of the Renewed Hope agenda.”
On Sunday, Eseme Eyiboh, the media adviser to Akpabio, stated that the senate has no authority to investigate the allegations made against his principal by the Kogi senator.
Eyiboh further mentioned that Akpoti-Uduaghan has yet to formally submit a petition regarding the alleged sexual harassment to the national assembly.