Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a public apology to Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for the comment he made at the Senate plenary last week, suggesting that the latter was speaking “like she was in a nightclub.”
The incident occurred when Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke without being recognised by the Senate President.
Speaking on the floor of the red chamber on Tuesday following a backlash, Akpabio expressed regret for his remark and emphasised his respect for women. “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.
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Addressing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan directly, Akpabio said, “Distinguished Senator Natasha, I want to apologise 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. “Social media handlers should practise with decorum. We won’t out of anger regulate social media,” he said.
Also, in response to claims circulating on social media that he has “numerous girlfriends,” Akpabio firmly denied the allegations. “I have only one wife and she is enough for me,” he asserted.
LEADERSHIP recalls that on Monday, the Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), a women’s advocacy group, criticised Akpabio for what they described as his disrespect towards female Senators.
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