A fresh twist has emerged in the controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, who claims to have witnessed the events in question, has dismissed the accusations as false.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her in exchange for supporting a motion on the Ajaokuta Steel Company. She further claimed that her rejection of these alleged advances led to repeated obstruction of her motions in the Senate.
“I Am an Eyewitness” – Nwaebonyi
Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, March 3, 2025, Nwaebonyi denied the claims, insisting that the alleged incident never took place.
“As God would have it, I am an eyewitness,” Nwaebonyi said. “On that fateful day of December 8, 2023, I was among the Senators who attended the Senate President’s birthday celebration. The claims made by Senator Natasha are completely false.”
He further asserted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations stemmed from being moved to a different seat during the gathering. According to him, she was seated separately in the parlour with her husband while Akpabio was giving senators a tour of his residence.
“That Never Happened” – Nwaebonyi Insists
“There was never a moment when the Senate President told Senator Natasha, ‘Do you like my house? We will come back to have a good time.’ That never happened. She knows that very well,” Nwaebonyi added.
Akpabio’s Wife Defends Husband
In a related development, Akpabio’s wife, Unoma Akpabio, also came to her husband’s defense, describing him as a disciplined and jovial individual who is often misunderstood.
Akpabio Denies Allegations, Calls Them Lies
Akpabio himself has strongly denied the allegations. His media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo, dismissed them as “a tissue of lies,” maintaining that the Senate President never engaged in any inappropriate conduct.
Senate Divided Over Claims
As the controversy continues to unfold, the Senate remains divided over the claims, with supporters on both sides weighing in.
