Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio repeatedly threw suggestive and lewd comments her way.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct and unruly behaviour” over her seating arrangement altercation with the senate president.

Her suspension came a day after she submitted a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio on the floor of the senate.

In an interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan restated that the “gross misconduct” premise for her suspension was a smokescreen to silence her.

She said Akpabio frequently made sexual advances towards her in and out of the senate chamber — and sometimes before other senators.

She alleged that Akpabio would “squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way”.

“There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there. And Akpabio said ‘oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?” she said.

“There was another time he made a statement like ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist’.

“He makes such sexist statements. And then they (other senators) all laughed.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan broke down in tears when the interviewer asked what impact her victim shaming and intimidation claims have had on her.

“People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa,” the senator said in between sobs.

“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?”

She, however, added that the positive for her is that some female parliamentarians from across Africa have been ringing her up to encourage her and to say they face similar sexually charged, male dominated environments in their respective parliaments.

SENATE REACTION
Responding to the interview, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the senate’s deputy chief whip, told the BBC that Akpabio never made passes at Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He also said the senate president never made any inappropriate comments towards the female lawmaker whether in his country home or the senate chamber.

Nwaebonyi also rejected Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that the senate is trying to silence her.

“Senator Natasha’s legislative activities show this claim is not true,” he said.

On March 5, Akpabio had denied sexually harassing Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“At no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment on the said distinguished senator Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman for that matter,” Akpabio said in the senate chamber.

“I and my siblings were raised very well by my late single mother, who died in 2000, through very difficult times. And I therefore have the highest regard for women.”

Ahmed0336:
As a lawyer, if she have enough evidence why not take akpabio to court? Why all these interviews if I may ask?

k777:
Suggestive comments towards her and sometimes in the presence of other Senators that isn't sexual harassment. She definitely needs help mentally.

Sexual harassment is “unwanted conduct of a sexual nature or other conduct based on sex or gender which is persistent, serious and demeans, humiliates or creates a hostile or intimidating environment and this may include physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct.”

How Governors Turn Govt Houses To Sex Havens - Punch (2015)
The situation is a bit worse in Akwa Ibom State where a former governor is alleged to have wasted the state resources frolicking with different women with many of such ‘entertainments’ taking place right inside government-owned facilities. On several occasions, the aides to the governor were said to have arranged between five to 10 women to serve the governor at the same time.

An aide who refused to disclose his identity for security reason, told one of our correspondents that in one of the instances, one of the 10 ladies that were taken to him, developed a headache. According to him, the governor asked that the lady be taken away but not without receiving N500, 000 as ‘appearance fee.’

Apart from the former governor, Saturday PUNCH reliably gathered that some of his commissioners and special advisers built houses in remote areas for their flings in a bid to avoid being seen in hotels. The sources also claimed that some of the women got brand new jeeps for their services.

The governor’s siblings are not left out of the show, too. A source told our correspondent that the governor’s brothers on several occasions imported women from Egypt and other North African countries just to have a nice time. In addition to the government houses and lodges, the big boys in the administration and even visitors to the state also used a very popular hotel in the state as well as other hotels that spread across Uyo.

Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio has denied reports that he turned the state Government House to a sex den during his tenure.

Akpabio, in a statement by his media aide, Anietie Ekong, described the allegation contained in a report by a news site titled ‘How Governors Turn Government Houses to Sex Havens,’ as untrue.

EXOUSIAng:
This is a lawyer who doesn't know what sexual harassment is.
I think we need to look into her law degree...

Even a truck pusher with first school leaving certificate knows what sexual harassment means

The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015 (VAPP Act)
Section 46 of the act describes Sexual harassment as “unwanted conduct of a sexual nature or other conduct based on sex or gender which is persistent, serious and demeans, humiliates or creates a hostile or intimidating environment and this may include physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct.”

DaddyJapan:


While a truck pusher probably has a good grasp of the subject as you inferred, your post is evidence enough that you do not.



Source: https://www.scejikonye.com/workplace-harassment-and-what-the-law-says-about-it/

EXOUSIAng:



LoL You obviously read without comprehension....
Go and get a JSS1 student to break this down for you.
From your understanding even asking a woman out is probably sexual harassment... Quality Education in Nigeria is truly gone to the dogs

DaddyJapan:


You are the sort of the nit00wit who gives Nigeria a bad name in countries where sexual harassment is policed effectively.

P.S - I double dare Akpabio to make the same unsolicited and highly suggestive remarks in saner climes...

Otamendi99:


If dis statement of hers is tagged Sexual Harrasment. Den 80% of young men in owerri will be in jail for dat.

According to Stop Street Harassment, over 38% of women have faced unwelcome sexual advances in the workplace while trying to do their jobs. This particular form is referred to as sexual harassement in the workplace and is a day-to-day reality for millions of workers all over the world.

In Nigeria, the numbers are much higher, according to a report by Stand To End Rape (STER), with 64% of women reporting they had been sexually harassed in their workplace.

EXOUSIAng:
This is a lawyer who doesn't know what sexual harassment is.
I think we need to look into her law degree...

Even a truck pusher with first school leaving certificate knows what sexual harassment means