A coalition of civil society organizations and advocacy groups, including the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), Tinubu/Shettima Support Movement (TSSM), and Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora (NPID), have dismissed the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, labeling them as politically driven falsehoods.
In a text read at a press conference and jointly signed by Tijani Ali Danjuma (TSSM National Coordinator), Dr. Obiora Okereke (NPID President), and Segun Okeowo (COCSON Director), the groups argued that the accusations are part of a calculated effort to tarnish Akpabio’s image and destabilize the Senate’s leadership.
“This baseless accusation, orchestrated by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is not an isolated incident but part of a broader scheme by anti-APC forces who see Akpabio’s cordial relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a threat to their selfish ambitions,” the statement read.
The groups alleged that the claim follows a recurring pattern of unfounded accusations:
“We are not surprised by this latest falsehood, as it follows a familiar script used by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the past. She has previously made unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment against prominent figures, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and public affairs commentator Reno Omokri, none of which were proven to be true.”
They referenced past incidents involving Akpoti-Uduaghan:
“In 2019, during the Kogi gubernatorial elections, she accused Yahaya Bello of sexual harassment but never pursued legal action. There was no police report, no witnesses, and no attempt to seek justice beyond media propaganda.
“In 2022, she falsely accused Reno Omokri of sexual harassment. Omokri provided irrefutable proof, including travel records and timestamps, that exposed her lies. Instead of facing defamation charges, she opted for an out-of-court settlement.”
The groups condemned what they see as a repeated misuse of harassment claims for political advantage:
“This repeated pattern of using false sexual harassment claims for political gain and media attention is alarming. Her latest accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is another desperate attempt to discredit a respected leader who has shown unwavering commitment to national stability and governance,” they said at a press briefing in Abuja.
They also questioned the timing of the accusation:
“Why did she wait until after her Senate seat was reassigned before making this claim? If she truly experienced harassment, why didn’t she report it when it allegedly happened? Her sudden accusation is clearly a retaliatory move to punish Akpabio. Instead of pursuing a sexual harassment lawsuit, she chose to sue Akpabio’s aide over a press statement. This shows that her real objective is media attention, not justice.”
The groups expressed skepticism over the circumstances described:
“She claims Akpabio harassed her while her husband was walking behind her. Would Akpabio, a man of his status, risk his entire career by committing such an act in broad daylight, surrounded by security personnel and cameras?”
Reaffirming their support for Akpabio’s leadership, the organizations called for : “A full-scale investigation into the false allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“That she either provides concrete evidence or faces legal consequences for defamation.
“That Nigerians reject this culture of media trials and character assassination.
“That the media exercise caution and verify facts before amplifying baseless claims.”
The groups concluded by passing a vote of confidence in Akpabio’s leadership, praising him as a man of integrity and a stabilizing force in Nigerian politics.
