‘Distraction for Nigerians’ — APC chieftain asks Natasha Akpoti, Akpabio to end media spat

Ayiri Emami, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta, has called for restraint in the ongoing verbal confrontation between Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, claimed that her troubles in the upper legislature chamber began after she turned down inappropriate advances from Akpabio.

The Kogi lawmaker alleged that Akpabio flirted with her during a visit to his Uyo residence with her husband for the senate president’s birthday in December 2023.

Reacting to the controversy in a statement on Saturday, Ayiri urged both lawmakers to cease hostilities, adding that “adversaries of President Bola Tinubu’s administration were keen to exploit the situation to create a distraction to Nigerians.”

“The avoidable media war, took the minds of the majority of Nigerians off the critical issue of the N54.99 trillion 2025 budget Tinubu signed into law Friday February 28,” Emami said.

“Rather than focusing on the nitty gritty of the 2025 budget and how it would accelerate the palpable progress being made in the country, many Nigerians are exerting their energies on the disagreement between the two distinguished senators.

“As family, we are making efforts to resolve the misunderstanding between the Distinguished Senate President, Goodswill Akpabio and our sister-in-law, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

He appealed for peace between the parties for the nation’s benefit, expressing hope that the matter would be resolved soon with the guidance of divine wisdom and ancestral insight.

Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, had asked Tinubu and the upper legislative chamber to investigate the sexual harassment allegations made by the female lawmaker.

Abubukar said the allegations require a credible and impartial probe to protect the integrity of the Nigerian senate.

The former vice-president said the senate represents the voice of the people, noting that those in leadership positions must uphold the highest standards of integrity and respect for public office.