Senate President Godswill Akpabio has criticized Senator Natasha Akpoti for what he described as a distortion of facts at the United Nations (UN) conference in New York. Akpabio accused her of embarrassing the Nigerian Senate by presenting misleading claims about her suspension and allegations of sexual harassment against him.
Senator Akpoti had attended the UN Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Tuesday, March 12, where she alleged that the Nigerian Senate suspended her due to her accusations against Akpabio. Her remarks sparked reactions, with some questioning the accuracy of her claims.
During the Senate plenary on Thursday, March 13, Akpabio strongly condemned Akpoti’s statements, stating that she had misrepresented the situation to the international community. He insisted that her version of events was not only inaccurate but also damaging to the image of the Nigerian Senate.
“I am aware that she distorted the facts and globalized the matter, embarrassing the Senate by giving a different narrative,” Akpabio said. “I appreciate Hon Kafilat for clarifying to the international media that what was presented was completely different from the reality.”
Akpabio further explained that Akpoti had initially brought her petition before the Senate but did not allow the legislative body to examine it properly before taking it to court. He criticized her decision to escalate the matter to an international platform, warning that such actions could have negative consequences for women in Nigerian politics.
“She brought the matter before the Senate through a petition but did not allow us to examine it. Instead, she took it to court and later to the international community,” he said. “Actions like these could discourage politicians from appointing women into key positions.”
