By Sunday Ani
Prominent Nigerian politician, Mohammed Abdullahi, has urged the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to defend the serious allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and others, rather than relying on hired blackmailers and image launderers to deflect public scrutiny.
He pointed to the recent involvement of a female professor whose contradictory statements and questionable conduct during her so-called exposé on Senator Natasha revealed her as a serial liar.
He noted that while the female professor publicly denied any link to the Senate President, she contradicted herself by revealing Akpabio’s private phone number during her media attacks; an action that, according to Abdullahi, not only exposes her deceit but also suggests coordination.
He described her role in the ongoing media campaign as a calculated effort to distract from the real issues and shield the Senate President from accountability.
Abdullahi expressed concern over Akpabio’s reliance on individuals with a known track record of dubious conduct to defend him in the court of public opinion. He noted the female professor, who recently launched a smear campaign against the Imo State Governor on Facebook has been exposed in multiple publications for alleged fraudulent and criminal activities.
He stated that it was both disgraceful and cowardly for a high-ranking public officer like the Senate President to associate with individuals of such questionable reputation in a bid to discredit genuine complaints and distract from a matter of national importance. “Rather than defend himself with honour, Akpabio has chosen to hide behind people whose public records are smeared with controversy and criminal allegations,” Abdullahi said.
He also questioned the authenticity of the academic credentials being paraded by the said professor, noting that her so-called professorship remains shrouded in doubt. “It is unfortunate that a matter as sensitive and serious as sexual harassment is being reduced to a media circus involving paid agents and individuals who themselves lack public trust,” he added.
He urged Akpabio to face the allegations with the courage expected of a national leader and stop funding smear campaigns aimed at undermining the voices of his accusers. “This is about integrity and accountability. No Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, should be above scrutiny. The Senate President must rise to the occasion and prove his innocence through facts, not hired propaganda,” he stated.