Senator Ayo Arise recently weighed in on the controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Arise stated that it would be difficult for Akpoti-Uduaghan to prove her claims, questioning whether she would have made such accusations if she were the president of Nigeria.
He also suggested that attractive women often face such advances and that it is their right to refuse, stating the need for a clear definition of what constitutes sexual harassment.
His remarks come after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances towards her during a courtesy visit in December 2023, even in the presence of her husband.
Recall that Akpabio had strongly denied the allegations, stating that he has “never harassed any woman” and that he holds women in the highest regard, citing his upbringing by a single mother and his four daughters.
Following these events, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a formal petition with the Senate Ethics Committee.
However, the committee dismissed the petition, citing procedural rule violations.
Shortly after, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, a move that has sparked widespread criticism.
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https://x.com/ARISEtv/status/1898296229861167538?t=yII8Y27yKUtmb63Ln89Y-w&s=19