Senator Imasuen Dismisses Sexual Harassment Allegations against Akpabio

Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Relations, has downplayed allegations of sexual misconduct against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that no female senator has ever lodged a complaint.

In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Imasuen suggested that the sense of rapport within the Senate is often misunderstood, emphasizing that interactions among lawmakers are largely informal.

“We have four female senators in this assembly, and I am close to three of them. It is a matter of privilege, and I don’t think it is directed at any individual because of sex,” he remarked.

Addressing concerns over favoritism in the recognition of senators during proceedings, Imasuen admitted that lawmakers occasionally feel ignored but insisted that Akpabio’s decisions are not influenced by gender.

“If I were to give you my own experience, there are many occasions that I also complain. There are times I raise up my hands and the Senate President does not recognise me but he recognises someone behind me and I am wondering why. But he cannot entertain every senator at a sitting who has an opinion, and so it takes his prerogative. I don’t believe that he does so because of the sex of the senator,” he explained.

Imasuen also dismissed suggestions that Akpabio’s conduct towards female senators has been inappropriate, pointing out that humor and familiarity are a natural part of Senate proceedings. “We joke a lot in the Senate. If you sit in the Senate for four or five months or even a year, you will understand. We see each other every day. If familiarity is what is being considered as some sort of harassment, then I don’t know. But for me, I don’t think that the conduct of the Senate President is such that is against the female,” he said.

His comments follow accusations from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who claimed that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom last December. The Kogi Central lawmaker alleged that the incident occurred a day before both of their birthdays. Her claims resurfaced after a heated confrontation in the Senate chamber last week, where Akpabio ordered her removal for resisting a reassignment of her seat.

The seat dispute arose after two opposition senators defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting a reshuffling of seating arrangements. Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that her privileges had been violated and attempted to invoke Senate Order 10, which led to a tense standoff. However, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno defended Akpabio, asserting that the Senate President has full authority over seating arrangements and that lawmakers must speak from their assigned seats.