Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has submitted an affidavit to the Senate Ethics Committee as supporting evidence in her petition against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

She had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties.

In the affidavit, the suspended senator quoted Akpabio to have said, “Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate and you can enjoy a whole lot from me if you take care of me and make me happy.”

According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, her petition was initially rejected by the Senate, prompting her constituent, Mr. Suberu Azamare Yakubu, to present it on her behalf.

The affidavit details an alleged incident that occurred on December 8, 2023, during a visit to Akpabio’s country home in Akwa Ibom State.

Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that she visited Akpabio’s residence with her husband when the Senate President made unsolicited and inappropriate sexual advances toward her while giving her a tour of his house.

She alleged that while her husband was nearby on a phone call, Akpabio suggested bringing her back to the house to have a quality moment together. Furthermore, she claimed that Akpabio proposed converting part of the house into a nightclub setting to host a party.

She described these remarks as inappropriate and an attempt to lure her into an unethical relationship, particularly given Akpabio’s existing relationship with her husband.

The senator representing Kogi Central said that after rejecting Akpabio’s advances, he began a campaign of obstruction and intimidation against her in the Senate.

She alleged that Akpabio deliberately refused to recognise her motions, including a significant motion on the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company — an issue of national economic importance.

The affidavit read, “That this motion was listed on the order paper more than 5 (Five) different occasions. In some occasions, when the motion was listed on the order paper, the Senate President declined to take same for reasons which I believe were connected to my outright refusal to accede to his advances.

“That owing to the apparent refusal by the President, some concerned colleagues of mine in the Senate advised that I approach the Senate President privately.

“That I hesitated initially owing to my previous encounter with the President of the Senate; Senator Godswill Akpabio, but summoned the courage to approach the Senate President in his office.”

According to her, the Senate President instead of attending to her complaint on the refusal to attend to her motion, reiterated his advances, in his words by her best recollection thus: “Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate and you can enjoy a whole lot from me if you take care of me and make me happy”

“That I verily believe that the obstruction of my legislative motions was not unconnected to my refusal to accede to the advances made by the Senate President.

“That I know for a fact that this is not the first time Senator Akpabio has been accused of such misconduct against women, as similar allegations have been made against him in the past, including but not limited to Dr. Jol Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who publicly accused Senator Akpabio of sexual harassment and claimed that she had to physically defend herself from his advances.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “In addition to Paragraph 1-16 above, I also state that the Respondent equally acted in Abuse of his office out of malice which is not unconnected to the facts stated above in support of sexual harassment.

“That on the 30th day of January 2025, an executive order was given by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the commissioning and establishment of Five (5) mini-Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

“That as a Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District and Chair-person, Senate Committee on Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, there was an erroneous assumption that this project was under my control and same was influenced by position,” she stated.

She explained that based on this erroneous presumption, Senator Godswill Akpabio abruptly without prior notice removed her as Chair-person, Senate Committee on Nigeria Local Development Content on 4th February 2025 to limit her involvement in the LNG Project.

Sahara Reporters quotes her as saying: “Consequently, he championed media propaganda and publications through Senior Legislatives Aides advocating that the projects be relocated to the Niger Delta region.

“That I also reasonably believe that the summary decision by the Senate President to allow me respond to a serious allegation of flagrant disregard against my person was equally malicious, in spite of the privilege raised by me.

“I reserve my right to provide further particulars and evidence to support my allegations contained in the petition.

“That I depose to this affidavit in good faith, believing the content to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act,” she added.

To read a full text of the affidavit obtained by CITY LAWYER, click here.