Akwa Ibom Women, Others Tackle Natasha Over Allegations Against Akpabio
By Dennis Udoma
Women in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and other Niger – Delta States lockdown Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Saturday in a protest over Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan’s unfounded allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Akpoti, it would be recalled, in an interview on Arise TV programme recently, accused the Senate President of sexually harassing her in the Red Chamber.
She further claimed suppression and victimisation in the chamber due to her refusals to succumb to Akpabio’s overtures.
Infuriated by this claim, the women said such allegation was a ploy to discredit and tarnish the image of Akpabio, adding that, they would not accept a fellow woman to bring down their Son (Akpabio), who is the number three citizen in Nigeria.
The placards carrying women matched round the Uyo City Center and nearby streets in Uyo metropolis on Saturday displaying their protests with various inscriptions such as: “Our number Three man deserves respect, Natasha show some some respect”, ‘Ijaw women demand respect for our leaders”, ‘Natasha, don’t embarrass us with your misbehaviour, ‘Respect for husbands is our tradition Natasha”, obey the Senate rules after all, you are not the only female Senator among others; the women demand an apology from Natasha or risk our wrath” among others.
Addressing the protesters, Mrs Grace Mathias from Essien Udim said women from Akwa Ibom would not tolerate any disrespectful behaviour from anyone, including Natasha against their elders.
She emphasised that if Natasha continues with such allegations, they would pray to God to release “spiritual cane” to wipe her to order.
According to her, “We want Natasha to leave our son alone, whenever she tries it again the women will kneel to pray and the Heavens will rise against her”.
Speaking further, she said, “Natasha should stop messing up our son, who is well disciplined and respectful. Akpabio doesn’t disrespect women; stop harassing and disrespecting him again. He is our precious gift.
“We, the women of Akwa Ibom and Niger Delta are saying that, this should be the first and the last time you will be addressing our son in such a disrespectful manner.
“We are out here today to tell you, Natasha, that our son is our precious gift. In the South South, Akwa Ibom in particular, we respect our men; we dont disrespect them, so enough is enough.
“If we hear about this again, we will go down on our knees to pray against you and God Almighty will wipe you into order. There will be no peace for you for plotting evil against our son,”
