Nwebonyi defends Akpabio, dismisses Natasha’s allegations as diversionary

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has dismissed the sexual harassment allegations levelled against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing them as politically motivated and an attempt to evade disciplinary action.

In a statement obtained by PUNCH Online on Sunday, Nwebonyi argued that the claims were unsubstantiated and conveniently timed to deflect attention from an ongoing disciplinary process against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He also criticised former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, for drawing a parallel between his past case and the current allegations against Akpabio, stating that the two situations are different.

‘Saraki’s case was about official duties as Senate President—an accusation concerning the importation of an official vehicle. It was a procedural issue that was swiftly resolved through the Senate Ethics Committee.

‘In contrast, the allegations against Akpabio are personal, unverified, and only emerged when the accuser faced disciplinary action,’ Nwebonyi stated.

Nwebonyi further alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan has a history of making “reckless and false allegations” against prominent individuals, including Reno Omokri, Dino Melaye, and Yahaya Bello, adding that her accusations typically follow a pattern of “wild claims, media noise, and no evidence.’

‘If she truly believed she was being victimised because of an alleged sexual harassment incident, the proper forum to raise such a grievance would have been the Senate itself, not a television interview. The Senate is moved by reason and laws, not sentiments and drama,’ he said.

The Deputy Chief Whip also pointed out that Akpoti-Uduaghan was appointed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content in November 2023, before the alleged incident in Ikot Ekpene.

‘If she had truly been a victim, why would the Senate leadership, under the same Akpabio, assign her such a critical leadership role?’ he asked.

Nwebonyi insisted that the Senate must not allow itself to be manipulated by baseless allegations, urging Akpoti-Uduaghan to pursue her claims through the appropriate legal channels rather than using the Senate as a “stage for diversionary theatrics.”

‘The correct course of action is clear: she should first answer to the Senate Ethics Committee for her misconduct. If she believes she has a valid sexual harassment claim, she should file a case in the appropriate legal forum, not use the Senate and the media as a shield against accountability,’ he said.