Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udaughan wey dey represent Kogi Central, don apologize sharply to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Sunday, as e concern controversial sexual harassment allegation wey she put for him.
Akpoti-Udaughan letter comot na social media, as she dey mock Akpabio wey dey currently in Rome for the funeral of late Pope Francis. This apology follow after she don suspend on March 6, for argument wey she get with Senate leadership about seating arrangement wey she claim wan diminish her influence.
E don show say tory no dey sweet for the Senate as Akpoti-Udaughan, during Women in Parliament session for the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting for United Nations wey happen for New York, don call for international body make dem hold Nigerian Senate accountable for wetin dey happen.
A statement wey she release talk say she don face severe punishment like withdrawal of security, salary cuts, and six-month suspension from the National Assembly.
“E be like say no be merit dey carry some senators go up, na compliance and personal demands dey rule. I don show my true self, but wetin I for do? Now dem talk say I break unwritten laws wey allow certain men to feel entitled,” Akpoti-Udaughan write for the letter.
She go on dey explain how the consequences of her action cause wahala for legislation and bruise egos wey oversized.
“I dey sorry for how I disrupt the ‘quid pro quo’ arrangements wey dey happen; make you find am in your heart to forgive dis stubborn woman wey believe say her seat na through election, no be through any other means,” she conclude.
Meanwhile, Akpabio don reply back, shey the allegations wey she don accuse am of na strong talk wey no get basis, and him no go shake from wetin people dey try do to bring down Senate leadership.
“I go no allow any falsehood or inflammatory rhetoric sidetrack me from my goal of maintaining unity and democratic principles for the country,” Akpabio talk through him media aide to journalists.
Senate leadership don announce the action wey dem take against Akpoti-Udaughan based on ethics committee report wey indict her on misconduct during plenary session on February 20, and punishments like security withdrawal and salary ban follow. Dem don suspend her but say option dey to lift the suspension if she fit send written apology.
As the matter dey unfold, observers dey watch as the tension between Akpoti-Udaughan and Akpabio continue to grow, with implications for the future of the Senate.
