Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday issued a public apology to Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for comments he made last week suggesting she was speaking “like she was in a night club.”
The incident occurred when Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke without being recognised by the Senate President.
Speaking on the floor of the red chamber on Tuesday, Akpabio expressed regret over his remarks and emphasised his respect for women.
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“I will not intentionally denigrate any woman and I always pray that God will uplift women,” he stated.
Akpabio noted that both his phone and his wife’s phone had been inundated with calls and text messages, many of which were insulting.
Addressing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan directly, Akpabio said, “Distinguished Senator Natasha, I want to apologize to you. The interest shown on social media shows that we have enemies. I felt I should tender a public apology to you. I did not mean any harm. People should concentrate on things that will move this country forward.”
He also addressed the broader issue of social media decorum, noting, “Social media handlers should practice with decorum. We won’t out of anger regulate social media.”
In response to claims circulating on social media that he has “numerous girlfriends,” Akpabio firmly denied these allegations. “I have only one wife and she is enough for me.”
LEADERSHIP recalls that on Monday, the Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), a women’s advocacy group, criticised the Senate President for what they described as his disrespect towards female senators.
