Senate President Godswill Akpabio has apologised to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, for his previous remarks about “night club” in the chamber.
Last week, Akpabio had told Akpoti-Uduaghan not to speak as if she were in a “night club” after she spoke without being recognised by the Senate president, a comment many said was unparliamentary.
Earlier, Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was also silenced when she expressed her concerns about being excluded from the affairs of the nation’s capital.
During a session in the Senate yesterday, Akpabio addressed the issue and stated that he would never intentionally degrade any woman.
The Senate president said he and his wife had been inundated with calls and text messages, most of which were insulting.
He said, “I have no intention of demeaning any woman, and I always pray for the upliftment of women,” he declared.
“Distinguished Senator Natasha, I would like to offer my sincere apologies to you. The interest shown on social media indicates that we have enemies. I felt it necessary to apologise to you publicly. I mean no harm. People should focus on things that will move this country forward.
“Social media handlers should exercise decorum. We will not regulate social media out of anger,” he said.
Akpabio also refuted the claims made on social media about having multiple girlfriends.
“I have only one wife, and she is enough for me,” he clarified.
On Monday, the Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), a women’s group, criticised Akpabio for his alleged lack of respect for female senators.
