Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated on Thursday that he spent the night at the Dangote Cement factory on the night of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s wedding to show support for her husband, whom “he thought was his friend and brother.”
“I slept in Dangote cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State on the night of Senator Natasha’s wedding because the Kogi airport lights were in a poor state,” Mr. Akpabio said during plenary on Thursday.
Mr. Akpabio’s statement comes amid the controversial six-month suspension of Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate for allegedly violating the upper chamber’s rules following her accusation of sexual harassment against the Senate president.
The Kogi senator had also accused Mr. Akpabio of abusing his power and restricting her legislative duties, describing her suspension as completely unjust.
Before her suspension, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted two petitions against Mr. Akpabio, alleging that the Senate president was attempting to silence and harass her.
Mr. Akpabio, however, denied all allegations, asserting that he was well-raised by his parents.
During Thursday’s plenary, the Senate president referred the petition to the committee on code of conduct, ethics, and public petitions, with a report expected in four weeks.
Meanwhile, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu praised the Senate for “doing the needful,” emphasising that the upper chamber remains a “mature” institution that should be treated with respect.
“I was there for 12 years, even in my younger days, and I’m still trying to look young, but people compliment you all the time, only that, women raise yourself, don’t be in a position that men will be talking to you anyhow,” Mrs Tinubu said.
