Comrade Kehinde Taiga, President of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), on Wednesday addressed the ongoing dispute between Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Last Friday, during a national television interview, Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her at his residence in 2023.
She claimed that after rejecting his advances, Akpabio retaliated by subtly blocking her request for an investigation into the Ajaokuta Steel Mill in Kogi State.
Natasha further expressed that her time in the Senate had been difficult due to her refusal to comply with the Senate President’s demands, likening her experience to that of a student who is punished by a lecturer for rejecting their romantic overtures.
In a phone interview, Taiga described the allegation as a serious matter that cannot be ignored, stating, “We are not in a banana republic where anyone can act without consequences.”
As a result, he called for Akpabio’s resignation to allow for an impartial investigation into the claims.
He emphasized that, as the third-highest official in the country, the allegations against Akpabio are significant and must be thoroughly examined, with appropriate sanctions for the guilty party.
Taiga stated, “The Senate President should step aside, and the Deputy Senate President should take over. This will ensure that the investigation is conducted without interference. A committee should be formed to look into the matter and deliver justice.”
He further stressed, “If the Senate President refuses to resign, we will organize a massive protest to shut down the National Assembly. The gravity of the allegations requires that he submits to an investigation.”
Taiga also expressed concerns about the possibility of a biased investigation if Akpabio remains in office. “If the Senate President stays in office while the investigation takes place, it is unlikely to yield any results. He may influence the committee’s actions. However, if he steps down, he will not be able to exert such pressure on the committee members,” he explained.
However, Taiga acknowledged that Akpabio’s reluctance to step down may stem from the fear that if his deputy takes over, he may not return to the position of Senate President.
