Ime Akpan
Mr Godswill Obot Akpabio, former commissioner petroleum and natural resources; local government and chieftaincy affairs; lands and housing between 2002 and 2006 in Akwa Ibom State, governor from 2007-2015; senator, senate minority leader, minister, ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and now senate president, hates to play the second fiddle. A student of power politics, he is ready to pull all the available strings to be in the centre of political gravity. Not in the boys’ quarters of power. Not even in the corridors. But in the bedroom of power!
Little wonder that after serving out his eight-year tenure as governor, he bulldozed his way to the senate and against the grain, became a principal officer – senate minority leader on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP – despite that there were some remnants of ranking senators.
It did not take long before he ditched the PDP that gave him the political oxygen and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre. He was bent on delivering his senatorial district, at least, in 2019 on the APC ticket but was stopped by a former deputy governor of the state, Mr Christopher ‘Ukarakpa’ Ekpenyong.
However, the senate president was handsomely rewarded with a lucrative cabinet portfolio – minister of Niger Delta Affairs (now defunct) where he had many running battles with the managing directors the Niger Development Commission (NDDC), the most explosive being his quarrel with a former acting managing director of the milch cow intervention agency, Mrs Joy Nunieh.
In the lead-up to the 2023 general election, Akpabio vied for the presidency under the APC but chickened out at the convention venue after extracting a commitment from President Bola Tinubu who was also an aspirant. While Akpabio was away campaigning as a presidential aspirant, senatorial primary was conducted on May 27, 2022 for Akwa Ibom northwest district (Ikot Ekpene senatorial district where the senate president hails) and a retired assistant inspector general of police, Mr Udom Ekpoudom, emerged as the winner. After the presidential primary which Tinubu won, the APC leadership, both at the state and national, preferred Akpabio as their candidate, after he was declared “winner” in a nocturnal senatorial primary that was cobbled together by a faction of the party in the state.
Ekpoudom kicked, but to no avail. The matter went up to the Supreme Court where a five-member panel led by the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun pronounced the senate president as the validly nominated candidate of the APC for Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial.
He won the February 25, 2023 senatorial election, defeating his former commissioner, Mr Moses Enoidem of the PDP. The PDP chieftain was later conferred with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title.
With the emergence of Tinubu as president in 2023, Akpabio was again rewarded with a juicy position of senate president. And he has been calling the shots since.
During the local government election in Akwa Ibom held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, the PDP clinched all the chairmanship positions in the 31 area councils.
The PDP candidate in the senate president’s council area, Essien Udim, Mr Enobong Patrick Friday won with 55,612 votes while his APC counterpart, Mr Ntiedo Usoro polled 686 votes.
But a high-powered negotiation and compromise took place overnight and by Sunday the table turned and Usoro was listed as winner when the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) published the comprehensive results.
The development was seen as a political sell-out orchestrated by the state governor, Mr Umo Eno to foster a closer relationship with Akpabio.
The thinking was that it would be politically disastrous to make the senate president look like a politician who has neither grass nor roots. An epiphytic politician is not a good description of Nigeria’s Number 1 Lawmaker and a very powerful Number 3 Citizen.
Faux pas and the senate president
Since assuming office as Lawmaker 1, the Essien Udim political strategist, who brought Uncommon Transformation to Akwa Ibom during his eight-year tenancy in the government house in Uyo which earned him the sobriquet Uncommon Transformer has made comments which sometimes attract more opprobrium.
After the reintroduction of the old National anthem, Akpabio suggested that Nigeria might not be experiencing banditry today if the anthem had not changed in 1978.
“The other bill of social impact passed by the National Assembly is reverting to our old national anthem. A lot of people are not aware that there was a panel set up, made up of Nigerians to receive input from all over the world in 1959.
“So when people are saying we’re bringing in colonial anthem, they need to look into the history of “Nigeria, we hail thee.
“If we had kept to that anthem, we probably would not have banditry today in Nigeria because if you take your neighbour as your brother, you will not want to kill him,” he declared.
On August 7, 2023, Akpabio also goofed when he announced after the conclusion of screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees and was about to adjourn the plenary to embark on their annual recess. He told the lawmakers that money would be sent them to “enjoy” their recess.
“In order to enable all of us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the clerk of the national assembly,” he said.
When he was immediately informed by his colleagues that he was speaking on live television, he quickly withdrew his comment and rephrased it thus: “In order to allow you to enjoy your holiday, the senate president has sent prayers to your mailboxes to assist you to go on a safe journey and return.” But the harm had already been done.
On July 31, 2024, Akpabio, while responding to a remark by the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Samuel Ogbuku that the Niger Delta region would not take part in the planned nationwide protest over economic hardship in the country, the senate president said he (Akpabio) and other members of the national assembly would be “eating” while they (Nigerians) protest.
“Let us own this government. Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be here eating,” he said.
He took a lot of flak for what many described as “uncouth indiscretion.”
On July 18, 2024, Akpabio told the senator representing Kogi-Central senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that the Senate chamber was not a night club; therefore, she must be recognised before speaking during plenary.
“Distinguished Senator Natasha, in the chamber, you have to be recognised before you speak. We are not in a night club,” he declared.
And on July 23, tendered an unreserved apology to Akpoti-Uduaghan after netizens had reacted angrily to the “nightclub” comment. “I will not intentionally denigrate any woman. I always pray that God will uplift women. Distinguished Senator Natasha, I want to apologise to you. The interest shown on the social media shows that we have enemies. I felt I should tender a public apology to you,” he stated.
Natasha sex scandal
The Natasha scandal began as politics of space allocation on the floor of the senate. Gradually, it transformed into sexual politics, with Akpabio alleged to have made sexual overtures to Akpoti-Uduaghan. The allegation was not made on the floor of the senate. But it all happened after she was handed down a six-month suspension without pay for alleged breach of senate rules.
The allegation of sexual harassment is the first time such an issue would be brought against a presiding officer since 1999. Nevertheless, there are tales of illicit affairs, especially when lawmakers hold retreats. For instance, there was the case of 10 Nigerian legislators who attended International Visitors Leadership Programme in Cleveland, Ohio, United States in 2016 where they were interrogated by officials of the US State Department over allegations of sexual misconduct against three of their colleagues.
We should be together!
Akpoti-Uduaghan related in an interview on television how the senate president sounded like Don Williams, singing “we should be together/we should be walking side by side/keeping each other satisfied.”
According to the Kogi Central senator, it all happened in December 2024 when she, her husband and some friends of the senate president visited Akpabio’s residence in Uyo to celebrate his birthday.
“It all started on December 8, 2023, which was a day before his birthday and my birthday. We are birthday mates. We were all in Akwa Ibom State because he had a big fanfare in the stadium.
“Myself, my husband and a few of his close friends went to Akwa Ibom. At first, we were at his house in Ikot Ekpene; then we all moved to his house in Uyo, where he held my hand and said he wanted to show me around. My husband was walking behind us and it was just the three of us. He showed me the beautiful interior. Then I noticed that he hastened his pace while still holding my hand.
“My husband, who was on the phone, was behind us, but he (her husband) was catching up whenever he could. Then he (Akpabio) got to this particular sitting room where he said: ‘Do you like my house?’ I said: ‘Of course, sir. Every room is beautiful, with a nice interior and beautiful taste.’
“He said: ‘Now that you are a senator; I am going to create time for us to come spend quality moments here and you will enjoy it.’ At that point, I just pulled away and said I did not understand what exactly that meant. When I turned around, I was beginning to wonder if my husband heard that part (the conversation). I could also see that the senate president also had that look (if my husband heard the invitation to treat or not).
I’ll do anything for you only if…
The Princess of the senate (for that is what Akpabio calls her) also related how she listed a motion for an investigation into corrupt practices in the Ajaokuta Steel Company for five times and it was not considered even once.
She said she went to the senate president as was suggested by some of her colleagues to plead with him to give the motion a mention, but to no avail, except the suggestive remark he made.
“I wanted to move a motion for an investigation on corrupt practices in the Ajaokuta company; I listed that motion five times. It was at the sixth time that it was listed that it was approved. Many senators can testify to that.
“Each time the motion was listed just before he considered it, he would say Senator Natasha, we cannot take this motion because the vote of the senate did not accommodate it or he would speak on other (motions) and then let it drag so that just before my motion was taken, the time would be well spent. He kept on doing that.
“I went to him in his office and I said Senate President, you know how important this Ajaokuta Steel Company is, you know how important it is to my people and to Nigerians. Sir, please why can’t you take this motion, it’s very important.’
“He then said: ‘Natasha, I am the chief presiding officer of the senate; you can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me’. At that point, I said: ‘Sir, I will pretend that I didn’t hear this.’ He (Senate President) said: ‘Well, the ball is in your court.’ So, I left his office and when I got home, I told my husband (I didn’t tell my husband what he said about taking care of him) to please speak to the senate president to allow my motion to go through. I think I also spoke to the deputy senate president. I spoke to a number of senators that they should please intervene. I never told them what happened.
“My husband met with the Senate President in London and pleaded with him, saying: ‘Let my wife take this motion on Ajaokuta, it is very important to her.’ However, he told my husband that he did not take it because he was protecting me.”
“At the time my motion was taken, it was the deputy senate president who actually took it. Many other incidents happened. You know the situation we see in universities whereby a student is continuously failing just because she has not slept with the lecturer. That’s what I’ve been facing in simple terms. That is what I have been going through.”
Your ‘waist’ is my command
Even though the senate had slapped a six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator has continued to make allegations about the senate president’s inappropriate behaviour toward her.
In an interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan said Akpabio once made a suggestive comment about her waist movements.
She alleged that the senate president would “squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way”.
“We women, we know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way.
“There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there.
“And Akpabio said ‘oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?
“There was another time he made a statement like ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist’.
“He makes such sexist statements,” she said
When asked how the other senators reacted, Natasha Akpoti said: “And then they (other senators) all laughed.
Caesar doth not wrong!
Akpabio has denied that he had ever tried to have any improper affair with the Princess of the senate, saying he could not descend so low to attempt to develop excessively close relationship with the Kogi senator. He averred that he knew Natasha and her husband even before she became a lawmaker. He added that during Natasha’s wedding, he inconvenienced himself by sleeping in a “manger” because the hotels in town were so filled that there was no room to swing a cat.
Addressing the senate during a plenary, Akpabio said: “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
“At no time did I ever harass any woman. I and my siblings were raised very well by my late single mother. She died in the year 2000, through very difficult times, and I therefore have the highest regards for women. Even at their minds, I sit right here today.
“I also wish to state that I also have four beautiful daughters, so at no time will I ever harass any woman, and I’ve never done so.
He added that he had received numerous awards for gender inclusivity, including the title of “Most Gender-Friendly Governor” during his tenure as Akwa Ibom State Governor from 2007 to 2015.
“In addition, even as a state governor, I was awarded various awards. One of them was the one you wish to know, the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria. I served between 2007 and 2015, to God be the glory.
“In conclusion, I urge all Nigerians, particularly the media and then, of course, the members of the social media, to await the court’s decision, and please do not jump to conclusions on matters of mere allegations.”
My husband ain’t no casanova – Mrs Akpabio
Wife of the senate president, Ekaete Unoma, has spoken out in defence of her husband, describing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations as not only false but also an attempt to tarnish her husband’s reputation.
She maintained that Akpabio is a disciplined man who has always demonstrated respect for women and has actively supported their inclusion in governance, even before becoming the senate president.
To demonstrate that she is not a verbal tigress, Mrs Akpabio instituted two separate defamation lawsuits at the Federal High Court in Abuja to defend the reputation of her husband.
In the suits marked CV/814/25 and CV/816/25, she demanded N250 billion and N100 billion in general damages, respectively.
She claimed the allegations against her husband had caused her and the children emotional and psychological abuse.
Besides, she stated that since the allegations were made, her family has been living under constant fear and threat to their lives.
Mrs Akpabio therefore prayed the court declare the allegations are defamatory and violation of her husband’s fundamental rights.
She further beseeched the court restrain Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from making defamatory statements against the Akpabio family.
She urged the court to mandate Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a formal written retraction and tender an unconditional apology to the senate president which should be published in two national newspapers.
She requested the court to award a total of N350 billion in damages against the senator as compensation.
Caught in the middle!
It should be noted that this is not the first time sexual allegation charge would be pressed against Akpabio. Way back in 2020 when Akpabio was the minister of Nigeria Delta Affairs, Nunieh said she slapped the senate president when he allegedly harassed her sexually.
“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 that has slapped him. I slapped him because of his plan B. Since he couldn’t get me to take that money, he thought that he could come up on me.
“He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money…by somebody telling me that he will make me the substantive MD. Akpabio’s meetings with me were either at Apo or Meridien…Yes, I am accusing him of sexual harassment,” she said during an interview on Arise TV at the time.
Akpabio later denied sexually harassing Nunieh, saying unnamed individuals “afraid of the forensic audit at the NDDC” sponsored her to tarnish his image. Earlier, he threatened to take a legal action against Nunieh.
