Akpabio should sue Akpoti-Uduaghan to uphold his name- Umohinyang
Convener of Centre for Leadership and Justice, Mr Emmanuel Umohinyang, speaks on sexual harassment claims by the senator representing Kogi central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in this interview with ThisNigeria
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan recently made grievous allegations concerning sexual harassment against the Senate President; what are your views?
There are two ways to look at the issue. As much as I would have ignored it as one of those trivialities that are occasionally thrown up, I think it may be a distraction when you look at the burning issues – how do we put food on the table of Nigerians? The ordinary citizen doesn’t even know Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, nor does he know who Godswill Akpabio is. His interest is in how to go out there to get something for his family, considering the times we are in and the challenges we have all gone through. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio conundrum shouldn’t drive the process. Since she pushed her sexuality into the discussion, what we have gotten from the media is some drama of sorts, and this is happening in a hallowed chamber that expects people to look at them as distinguished. Nothing emanating from that place is one of the shame of our democracy. However, I have listened to the young woman and am slightly disappointed. When I look at the issues surrounding the allegation and the person Natasha, one would have expected that flow from the level of a lawyer; both of them are lawyers, and you don’t make such an allegation without preparing your evidence. Cases all over the world are won based on the weight of evidence. I thought she would have put out the evidence, but she was telling Nigerians to go and meet the DSS, that they have a way of unlocking WhatsApp, and that they put what they discussed out. You will discover that her story, as serious as grave it looks, has gaps. What are those gaps? First, you said you were in Ikot-Ekpene in Akpabio’s house, he was showing you around, your husband was behind you on the phone, he was showing you around, and before you know it, Godswill Akpabio started developing an antelope speed, far from where your husband was. He took you inside the house and said if you make yourself available, you can always come around and relax. I have been to that place during the 2019 general elections. Akpabio is somebody I have known as far back as when he was Governor. However, I am not speaking for him. Why did she not disclose what went on between her and Akpabio? It was such a serious issue. This lady has sworn love and fidelity to her husband, who should not keep anything from him. At what time was there sexual harassment, and at what point did it occur?
Was it when she was chairman, senate chairman, or when she was removed from local content and made chairman, senate committee, and NGOs, which is considered less juicy? At what point are we drawing Nigerians into this shameful drama? I think there is a meeting between the husband and the wife to launch an attack against Akpabio. Sexual harassment is a criminal offense; she knows where to report to because the senate president is not under immunity. He can submit to interrogation and persecution. If found guilty, he can be punished according to our laws.
So, why was Akpabio in the news for sexual harassment?
I want to let you know that it is always the desire of a dwarf to drag a giant down. A dwarf desires to throw a challenge. It is news when a dwarf throws a challenge or an ant against an elephant. You see, Akpabio has become an enigma. Natasha should have filed a complaint before the police over the matter. I don’t believe in this Senate committee or ethics. The allegation of sexual harassment was not before that committee. I have seen the court papers. Natasha sued Akpabio and one Ufom. So, I don’t know why she would choose such a weak action when she could have brought heavy criminal action against the Senate President. It’s like famous proverbs in the East: how do you help an old woman with a broken waist? I know Akpabio. I know that he has his weaknesses, just like any other human being, but sexual harassment is not one of them. Even if Akpabio today chooses to live indecently, why would it be Akpoti-Uduaghan? It is not a case of Akpabio suffering a case of serial sexual harassment. Remember, Akpoti-Uduaghan has a history in that regard. The former Governor of Kogi State was accused of sexual harassment, the same for Dino Melaye. I see a situation where Akpoti-Uduaghan has developed an almighty formula. When things are not going her way, sexual harassment comes to her rescue. I have also challenged the Inspector-General of Police on this matter. Though the matter has not been brought before him, he is duty-bound to take up issues connected to all crimes. It is an offence for a complainant to tell lies.
Don’t you think the Senate President should have stepped aside over the issue?
I listened to the Senate President under the 8th Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki. I was amazed that a man who sat in that office a few years ago was accused of illegally bringing in a bulletproof vehicle, though it was later found untrue. In that case, a complaint was brought against him in the Senate. You don’t ask Akpabio to step down for a proper investigation. I also listened to Atiku, the serial presidential candidate who called on the President to investigate the matter. I said it would get to a stage where if a man quarrels with his wife, they will say Bola Tinubu, look into the matter. This has nothing to do with the President. It is an issue in the Senate but has gone beyond that institution because of that interview. Senator Natasha owes Nigerians a duty to take a further step by submitting a petition to the Inspector General of Police. I have also told the IG not to wait till the petition comes because he is an employee of Nigerians. He draws from tax payer’s funds. He needs to see to the end of the matter by digging up the truth. Remember, she levelled the same allegation against my good friend, Reno, but it turned out that at the time she said he was harassing her, it turned out that he was in the United States. We must have an open mind. I am not saying this because of Akpabio; he is my brother, I can’t deny it. If Akpoti-Uduaghan fails, he needs to protect his reputation. He should approach the court to uphold his name.
What are your views on the Supreme Court judgment in Rivers State?
Development will be stifled as much as the Rivers people suffer because of the directive to stop their allocation. However, we must not always look at the grass that suffers when two elephants fight; we should look at who initiated the fight to apportion blame to the elephant responsible for the crisis. The state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, knew it was an abomination to have three people sit in the state House of Assembly, yet he sent the state budget to them for passage. The unfortunate thing was that before the Governor could finish his presentation, the gavel was hit, and the budget was passed. Every process of budget reading from the first reading to the second reading and the scrutiny of the budget was ignored, and the Governor went ahead to implement it. In my view, some of these persons who are beneficiaries of democracy today seem to have forgotten that people who fought for this democracy strive, such as the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Over 90 percent of those who fought for democracy are not the beneficiaries. Where was Fubara when the struggle was ongoing? He just got leadership free of charge; he never worked for it. He did not work for it, so how can he value it? The judges at the apex court scolded the Governor for not subjecting himself to the Amaewhule-led Assembly. Fubara surrounded himself with various characters as consultants, some from other states, who reviewed the court judgment and told him what to do. You have seen the apex court’s position, which directed that funds should not be released to the state because the election that brought the LG chairmen into office was marred with irregularities. The consequence is that the people of Rivers will suffer due to the indiscretion of their Governor. Maggots and centipedes have taken over because the Governor is unwilling to get sound advice.
What does the state go from here?
