By Our Reporter
The Ohaneze Stakeholders Forum (OSF) has commended the Nigerian Senate for standing in solidarity with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, following the refusal to probe the sexual harassment allegation leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Ikechukwu Nwolisa, and Secretary, Okonkwo Chimdi, the group described the allegation as a worn-out strategy aimed at tarnishing the Senate President’s reputation.
The forum accused Senator Natasha of fabricating falsehoods to discredit prominent male figures for personal gain. According to the group, the Kogi lawmaker had previously employed similar tactics against other notable individuals, including former Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Dino Melaye, and former presidential aide Reno Omokri.
“Senator Natasha’s consistent claims of sexual harassment against prominent men have become a slogan to gain public sympathy and remain relevant. Her recent attempt to drag the Senate President into such controversy is not only appalling but also a calculated blackmail,” the statement read.
OSF praised the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Onwaebonyi, for providing a detailed account of events during Senator Akpabio’s birthday celebration in December 2023, which reportedly contradicted Senator Natasha’s claims.
The group further questioned why Senator Natasha did not reject her appointment as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content if she had been subjected to harassment by the Senate President.
“It is curious that she accepted the position and even influenced the location of five gas projects to Kogi State without raising any alarm. The timing of her accusation, coming only after her removal as committee chairperson, shows her claims are nothing but blackmail,” OSF stated.
The group advised Senator Natasha to seek more creative means to advance her political career rather than resorting to blackmail, warning that Nigerians are no longer swayed by such tactics.
OSF reiterated its confidence in the Senate President’s integrity and commended Nigerians for refusing to be misled by what it termed a premeditated plot to discredit the National Assembly leadership.
