Sexual Harassment Saga: Respect My Wife – Natasha Akpoti’s Husband Tells Senate

Amid the current sexual harassment controversy involving the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, husband of the Kogi Central Senatorial District lawmaker, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, has cautioned the Senate to treat his wife with respect and dignity

Speaking for the first time on the feud that has gone viral, High Chief Uduaghan, who is the Alema of Warri Kingdom, said recent developments had necessitated his decision to intervene and clarify issues in the public domain.

In a statement issued on Saturday, High Chief Uduaghan noted that the core issues at stake were being overshadowed by unnecessary sentiments, distracting from serious allegations that should concern all Nigerians who value integrity and family honour.

According to him, without prejudice to ongoing legal proceedings, his wife was duly elected by her constituents, who hold her in high esteem and described her as a devoted wife and a woman of integrity, committed to delivering quality representation in the Senate.

He said, “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”, adding that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had confided in him about her interactions with the Senate President, whom he once considered a family friend.

The former Governor said that as a traditional leader, the matter was handled with maturity and responsibility, seeking to foster peace and uphold core family values.

Hear him: “I met with the Senate President and respectfully urged him to extend the courtesy and respect my wife deserves while also honouring the friendship between us. We reached an understanding and agreed to resolve the issue amicably”.

However, he stated that despite this gentlemen’s agreement, his wife continued to express concerns about harassment from the Senate President.

Reaffirming unwavering faith in his wife’s loyalty, High Chief Uduaghan said he was fully committed to their marriage, which he described as being built on love, compassion, and mutual respect, adding, “I would never trade her for anything, as she is the greatest joy of my life”.

Consequently, he urged the Senate and the Senate President to ensure Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is treated with the respect and dignity she deserves while awaiting the courts and relevant authorities to resolve the matter.

THE FULL STATEMENT BY HIGH CHIEF EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN
“I had initially resolved to refrain from commenting on the ongoing dispute between my beloved wife, Senator Natasha H 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 delivering 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.

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, fosters peace and harmony.

I 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.

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.”

High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan
Alema of Warri Kingdom