By Emeka Okafor
Billionaire businessman and husband of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, has reacted to ongoing feud between his wife and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Uduaghan, a prominent Itsekiri traditional chief, said he was aware of the interactions between his wife (Natasha) and the Senate President, Akpabio.
The rift between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio began last week after she refused to sit in a reassigned seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.
The incident resulted in a heated argument on the floor of the Senate as the Senate President refused to grant the Kogi Senator permission to speak during deliberations.
As the feud escalates, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, of sexually harassing her.
The Kogi Central senator also accused the Senate President of blocking her bills and motions from being read on the floor of the Senate because she refused Akpabio’s advances at her.
Though the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, had dismissed the allegations against her husband, she went further to file a N250bn defamation suit against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
But speaking on the issue for the very first time on Saturday, Chief Uduaghan, said his wife confided in him the alleged sexual harassment by the Senate President.
In a statement on Saturday, Uduaghan, who is the Elema of Warri, stated that he had observed that “certain sentiments are being stirred up unnecessarily, distracting from the serious underlying allegations” his wife had raised against Akpabio.
“I had initially resolved to refrain from commenting on the ongoing dispute between my beloved wife, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“However, recent developments have compelled me to issue this statement. It is clear that certain sentiments are being stirred up unnecessarily, distracting from the serious underlying allegations, which should concern every discerning individual with sound family values.
“Without prejudice to the ongoing legal proceedings, I wish to emphasize that my wife was duly elected by her people due to the immense love, respect, and confidence they have in her and she is committed to delivery quality representation to her district and the Nation at large. She is a devoted wife, and the bond we share is deep and unwavering. She has always remained truthful, even in the face of adversity”, he said.
Speaking on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Akpabio, Chief Uduaghan said, “My wife has confided in me about her interactions with the Senate President, whom I considered a family friend.
“In response, I approached the matter with the utmost maturity and responsibility, as it is my duty as a traditional leader who has immense respect for constituted authority and upholds core family values, foster peace and harmony.
“I personally met with the Senate President and respectfully urged him to extend the courtesy and respect my wife deserves, while also honoring the friendship between us. We reached an understanding and agreed to resolve the issue amicably.
“However, despite this agreement, my wife continues to express concerns about the harassment she has endured from the Senate President.”
He described his wife as a dutiful and lovely wife, whom he said, has explicit trust and loyalty for their marriage which is built on love and trust.
Uduaghan urged the Nigerian Senate and its president to treat his wife with utmost respect and dignity deserving of the office she hold in trust for the people of Kogi Central and Nigerian people.
He added, “I have unwavering faith in my wife’s loyalty and am fully committed to our marriage, which is grounded in love, compassion, and mutual respect. I would never trade her for anything, as she is the greatest joy of my life.
“I now respectfully urge the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate President to treat my beloved wife with the respect and dignity she truly deserves while the relevant authorities and the court determine the underlying issues.”
