Senate President Godswill Akpabio faces renewed scrutiny over multiple allegations of misconduct towards women, including claims by Joi Nunieh and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. His controversial remarks and rumored affairs continue to fuel debates about gender discrimination in Nigerian politics, raising concerns over accountability and respect in governance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has once again found himself at the center of controversy, with multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women casting a shadow over his political career. The accusations, which range from verbal misconduct to claims of harassment, have reignited debates about the treatment of women in Nigerian politics and the broader issue of gender discrimination within governance.
One of the most notable allegations comes from Joi Nunieh, the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). She previously claimed that Akpabio had made unwelcome advances toward her, an encounter that allegedly escalated to a physical altercation. Nunieh insisted that she had to defend herself against his actions, a claim that Akpabio strongly refuted. Dismissing the accusations as fabricated, he maintained that he had always conducted himself with integrity and even threatened legal action to clear his name.
More recently, Akpabio sparked outrage following a heated exchange with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during a Senate session. His remarks, likening her behavior to that of a nightclub, were widely criticized as sexist and disrespectful. The backlash was swift, with over 300 women’s advocacy groups demanding an apology. Under mounting pressure, Akpabio publicly retracted his comments, acknowledging that they were inappropriate. However, the controversy deepened when Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her conflicts with Akpabio stemmed from her refusal to entertain his advances.
Further complicating matters, rumors circulated linking Akpabio to Nigerian actresses Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Ini-Edo, and Nancy Isime.
Despite Akpabio’s denials and occasional attempts at damage control, the growing list of controversies has fueled public discourse on power dynamics and the treatment of women in Nigerian politics. As these allegations continue to surface, the pressure on the Senate President to address concerns about his conduct remains high.
