The Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on the Nigerian Senate and the Attorney-General of the Federation to determine the veracity of allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
While expressing support for the Senate’s decision to lift Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, the group insisted that the claims she made should not be dismissed without legal scrutiny. The Senate had suspended the lawmaker in March for violating its procedural rules.
In a statement released on Thursday, the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Kole Omololu, noted that her recall signified a commitment to democratic principles.
“We commend the Senate President, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate leadership for taking a decision that further reinforces the country’s rule of law,” Omololu said.
However, Afenifere expressed concern over the senator’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, describing them as serious and with potential national and international repercussions.
“For over six months, where are the facts and evidence of her grave allegations?” Afenifere asked.
The group urged security agencies — including the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, and the National Intelligence Agency — to thoroughly investigate the claims both within and outside the country.
Afenifere also referenced a past incident in which Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly made unfounded accusations of sexual harassment against former presidential spokesman Reno Omokri, a case that ended in an out-of-court settlement with damages awarded.
“Does this not suggest that, without proof, her allegations against Akpabio are suspicious?” Omololu asked.
The group criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan for taking her claims to international media outlets such as the BBC, CNN, Sky News, and Deutsche Welle, arguing that such actions tarnish Nigeria’s global image.
Additionally, Afenifere raised questions over her reported participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in New York, asserting that attendance at such events is typically by nomination.
“If Natasha truly participated in the IPU meeting without due nomination, then it simply revealed her compromise or manipulation of our public institutions for pecuniary ends,” the group stated.
