Akpabio, Natasha salacious scandal
In matters of marriage, third parties are advised to be careful about venturing trenchant opinions.
The Southerner, Thursday
By Dan Onwukwe
In matters of marriage, third parties are advised to be careful about venturing trenchant opinions. But when the matter at stake is outside conjugal relationship, and strays into sexual harassment allegation of another woman, then third parties are free to offer their perspectives, in public interest. Such salacious allegations also test public appetite for public office holders to submit themselves to full and transparent investigation.
Many politicians, some with remarkable accomplishments to their names, have imploded their reputation and ruined their careers because of alleged dalliances with women under them. Unfortunately, no lesson has been learnt by Nigerian politicians, nothing forgotten.
Last week was a sickening spectacle in Nigeria. It concerns the shocking revelations of sexual advances made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Since Natasha spilled the beans on the alleged sexual harassment against Akpabio, the sanctity of the Nigerian Senate, the public perception of the institution, and the character of the man who presides over the hallowed chamber, have come under a huge blanket of suspicion.
Less than a week since the news broke, many questions have been asked, two of which include: Is Sen Natasha a kiss-and- tale woman who is determined to bring down the Senate President, or is she a victim of bullying in the hands of Nigeria's third most powerful politician?
The next couple of weeks will likely provide the answers. But one thing is clear: if sexual piccadilo is a disqualifying offence, many Nigerian politicians will be unfit for public office. That's why our politics remains a fun to follow. And when everything in the country is out of joints and the citizens in hardship, misdemeanor by politicians becomes like a football match that we troop out to watch.
If care is not taken, the Akpabio-Natasha scandal may be the beginning of the end of Akpabio's grace-to-grass, rock bottom, below rock bottom story. If it was in a sane clime, Akpabio would have resigned to allow unhindered investigation.
Though this is not the first time that Akpabio had been accused of such sexual misdeed, this latest one is most disgusting, bawdy, lascivious and outrightly dirty. All the parties involved in this obscene spectacle are fighting dirty.
Akpabio's wife, Ekaette, is reported to have gone to court, claiming N250bn in damages on behalf of her "disciplined and lovely husband". Whoever advised her to take this cause of action, didn't do her any favour. It's a hasty decision at this time.
What if Natasha comes forward with a tape and video recording of her encounters with Akpabio to prove her claims? Natasha's husband, High Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, has added a new twist to the sexgate opera.
Natasha's account is an eye-catching one. You can't call her a bimbo. Her narrative seems like that of Bill Clinton- Monica Lewinsky scandal of 1998 that almost ruined the Clinton presidency. But here we are.
In an interview with Arise TV Morning Show last Friday, Sen Natasha claimed that beyond the sitting arrangement furore during the Senate plenary that resulted in a shouting match between her and the Senate President weeks ago, lies the issue of inappropriate sexual advances towards her, as well as flirtatious remarks by Akpabio. She said it all happened in the presence of her husband.
According to her, it all began hours before the swanky birthday of Akpabio, first in Ikot Ekpene, and Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital. Both senators share same birthday date. As expected, a coterie of high climbers in the society were invited.
As Natasha captured the sensual soap opera, "As we all moved to his house in Uyo, about 8 pm, he (Akpabio) held my hand and said he wanted to show me around his house. My husband was walking behind us, just three of us".
She also claimed that Akpabio took her around, from room to room. "He showed me the beautiful interior. This was done by this designer and that... And then I noticed he hastened his space while still holding my hand. My husband was behind, still on his phone, but he was catching up whenever he could.
"We got to this particular sitting room, and he (Akpabio) said, 'do you like this house'? I said, of course, sir, every room beautiful. Nice interior, quality taste. He then said, "Now that you are a Senator, I am going to create a time for us to come spend quality moments here. You will enjoy it." At this point, she decided to "pull away, confused by the comment" by the Senate President. By this time, her husband was very close to her. When they got to the hotel, she said her husband asked her to divulge what the discussion with Akpabio was all about. Well, a caring husband will ask the same question.
Put together, isn't this a great story, told by a smart, intelligent woman who may have got Akpabio where she wanted to? Watching her Arise TV interview, it looks like borrowing from the playbook of Gennifer Flowers and Paula Jones salacious allegations against Clinton Natasha insists she has concrete evidence against Akpabio, including intimate midnight calls from him that often woke her and her husband up. She maintains that her refusal to yield to Akpabio's sexual advances was the reason for the hostility she has suffered during senate plenary.
She likens her predicament to that of a "female student who refused sexual advances from her lecturer".
I foresee that this week will likely to be as interesting as last week, with more startling revelations. Don't be surprised if Sen Natasha is "suspended indefinitely" from the Senate as a ploy to silence her. Is Akpabio guilty as charged? Too early to rush to conclusion. But this is one allegation against Akpabio that should not be swept aside. Recall that in July 2020, former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ms Joy Nunieh alleged she rejected Akpabio's sexual advances as a bargaining chip if she must be confirmed as substantive MD of the commission.
She bragged that she slapped Akpabio at a Guest House in Abuja. Akpabio was then Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs. When she was approached by journalists, Ms Nunieh said, "Why did Akpabio not tell Nigerians that I slapped him? I am the only Ogoni woman, the first Nigerian woman to slap him. He didn't know that I am a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money". Akpabio denied all the allegations.
I agree with former Senate President Bukola Saraki that the senate should not be allowed to be "cast as an institution encouraging sexual harassment, gender bias, abuse of office, flagrant disregard to standing orders/rules and lack of orderliness."
Going forward, this is my unsolicited advice to Akpabio and other randy lawmakers who have become lawbreakers. Never take advantage of any woman who is under you. Always remember that your position is that of trust. Avoid celebrating any woman apart from your wife. If possible, don't have any close relationship with any woman, single or married, no matter her status. Neither should you allow your heart to lust after another woman. Always carry yourself with dignity and honour. The office you occupy demands that. If you wish, ignore this advice at the expense of your political career.
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