By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – Prominent youth organisations across Nigeria have called for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step aside for an impartial investigation into sexual harassment allegations made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This demand arises amid growing public concern over the scandal, which has dominated national headlines.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, youth groups—Arewa Youths for Good Governance, South-West Youths Development Initiative, Northern Youths for Justice, and Igbo Youths Progressive Forum—asserted that Akpabio cannot oversee a Senate responsible for examining the allegations. The statement was signed by Ismail Jibril, Kehinde Sikiru, Ladoja Kehinde, and Jonathan Ezeme, coordinators of the respective organisations.

The groups noted that this is not the first time Akpabio has faced such accusations, citing a similar claim from 2020 by Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Nunieh had alleged that Akpabio, then Minister of Niger Delta, sexually harassed her during her tenure.

They stated, “Nigerians were recently confronted with an embarrassing allegation against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“We say this responsibly, as this is not the first time Senator Akpabio has faced such accusations. We remember how Joy Nunieh claimed he sexually harassed her.

“She had said, ‘Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only Ogoni woman, the only Nigerian woman who has slapped him. I did so because he tried to manipulate me. He didn’t realise I’m a Port Harcourt girl, unaffected by money or promises of position. Akpabio’s meetings with me were at Apo or Meridien. Yes, I am accusing him of sexual harassment.’

“Five years later, Senator Natasha has made the same allegation against the Senate President, damaging not only the National Assembly but the entire nation. We have waited for days, expecting the Senate President to act honourably and step aside; this is what is expected in a civilised society. Unfortunately, he has clung to his position, acting as though nothing has happened.

“This is unacceptable; he cannot be a judge in his own case. The Senate President cannot preside over a Senate that must interrogate the allegations against him. The moral burden is heavy. Should Akpabio fail to step aside, we urge the National Assembly to impeach him. This is the only way to restore confidence in parliament.

“Only when Akpabio steps aside can both he and Natasha appear before a probe committee, ensuring a fair hearing and justice. Anything else will only lead to further victimisation of the female senator.”