Nigerian activist and social justice advocate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has refuted claims that she apologized to Senate President Godswill Akpabio over her sexual harassment allegations against him.
In a statement released on Sunday, Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that she never retracted her accusations and remains steadfast in her stance.
“I have not issued any apology to Senator Akpabio, and I stand by my earlier statements,” she said. “My allegations were made in good faith, based on my personal experience, and I expect them to be treated with the seriousness they deserve.”
The controversy began after reports circulated that Akpoti-Uduaghan had withdrawn her claims and tendered an apology to the Senate President. However, she dismissed the reports as false and politically motivated.
“This is a deliberate attempt to silence me and discredit my advocacy for accountability in governance,” she added. “I will not be intimidated.”
Akpabio’s office has yet to issue an official response to the latest development. The allegations, which first surfaced months ago, have sparked public debate on accountability and the treatment of sexual harassment claims in Nigeria’s political space.
As the situation unfolds, civil society groups and gender rights advocates have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.