Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, has denied having any direct knowledge of the alleged misconduct by Akpabio, asserting that she (Akpoti-Uduaghan) had actually received more privileges than the other three women in the Senate.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Senator Kingibe pushed back against claims that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been isolated by her female colleagues, emphasising that she had never shared any concerns about sexual harassment with her or the other female senators.
“The three of us have not been sexually harassed. That’s not to say if Senator Natasha can prove that she has been. That is fine. We will support her. But she’s never discussed it with us. We don’t know about it.
“In fact, to be honest, Senator Natacha has gotten the most privilege of all the four of us. The seats I’m sitting in now have been moved four times. Senator Ipalibo Baligo has been moved at least twice,” she stated.
She noted that she was not present in the Senate on the day in question due to hospitalisation, but however, recounted her efforts to reach out to Akpoti-Uduaghan to understand the situation, efforts that reportedly went unanswered.
“I was in the Hospital. When I came out of the hospital, my driver said to me, Madam, there’s wahala in the Senate. I said, what about? He didn’t tell me.
“He just said, Senator Natasha. As soon as I heard her name, as I always do with everything that concerns her, I promptly called her. I said, Natasha, what’s going on? She started to try to explain about seating. She had not given me the proper explanation. I had not been given the opportunity to respond when she said to me, I’ll call you back. Till today, Senator Natasha has not called me back.”
She further explained that her attempts to reach out extended to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, who informed her that his wife was in Singapore at the time. Expressing disappointment over the breakdown in communication, Kingibe noted that while the Senate has its challenges regarding gender inclusion, the institution has been improving in its treatment of female legislators.
However, Kingibe also acknowledged the difficulties women face in the Senate, stating,“Yes, the Senate is not gender friendly, but it has been improving much better than when we first entered the Senate, I must say. And the truth of the matter is, when we make a fuss and we draw the attention of the Senate president, he does correct it. Truly, the Senate can do better than it’s doing.”
Kingibe also raised concerns about the public perception of the Senate amid the controversy, warning that such disputes over seating arrangements and internal disagreements could erode public trust.
