Warri, Delta state – Emmanuel Uduaghan, husband of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commented on the allegations of sexual harassment that his wife leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Alema of Warri Kingdom in a statement sent to Naturenex maintained that he had once approached Akpabio on the allegation with maturity after his wife told him and they all agreed to settle the matter amicably and as a family matter.
Source: Twitter
What Natasha’s husband allegedly told Akpabio
However, despite his interference, Uduaghan said Senator Natasha had continued to express concerns about the level of harassment she allegedly experienced from the Senate President. Uduaghan further stated that his wife has always been truthful, loyal and family oriented.
The statement reads in part:
“My wife has confided in me about her interactions with the Senate President, whom I considered a family friend. In response, I approached the matter with the utmost maturity and responsibility, as it is my duty as a traditional leader who has immense respect for constituted authority and upholds core family values, foster peace and harmony.
“I personally met with the Senate President and respectfully urged him to extend the courtesy and respect my wife deserves, while also honouring the friendship between us. We reached an understanding and agreed to resolve the issue amicably.
“However, despite the agreement, my wife continues to express concerns about the harassment she has endured from the Senate President.”
When Natasha accused Akpabio
Natasha, in a television interview on Friday, February 28, raised the allegation against the Senate president, stating that her refusal for sexual advances from Akpabio was the beginning of her dilemma at the Senate. In one of the issues raised, the senator recalled that Akpabio once told her to give him “enjoyment” so that her bill can be passed.
The senator earlier had a confrontation with Akpabio where she alleged that she has been tactically silenced by the Akpabio-led leadership of the Senate following his first encounter at the plenary.
During the outburst, the senator alleged that she was being silenced because of her earlier argument against the Senate president and that she would no longer tolerate being silenced anymore.
Senate committee to interrogate Natasha
Following the argument, the Senator was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, for a disciplinary action to be taken against her.
The committee was chaired by Edo South Senator Neda Imaseun from the Labour Party. They have been given a two-week ultimatum to report back on their findings.
Senator Natasha was referred to the Senate committee after the matter was put into a voice vote following the lawmakers’ visit to the controversies surrounding the issue. The lawmaker had filed a N100.3 billion fundamental human rights suit against the Senate President.
