Why did you wait until your Senate seat was changed before raising these sexual harassment allegations? Is this a case of personal vendetta disguised as a fight for justice?
The coalition of Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria, BAVCCA, have condemned the sexual harassment allegations against senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and warned against media trial by the public.
The group made the observation during their press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, saying they are deeply concerned about the growing trend of media sensationalism and trial by public opinion on sensitive issues without proper legal backing.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, its national spokesperson, Tabuko Kennedy, said, “We, alongside over 400 content creators, have been following with keen interest the recent sexual harassment allegations levelled against the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The BAVCCA is deeply concerned about the growing trend of media sensationalism and trial by public opinion on sensitive issues without proper legal backing. While we uphold the importance of media freedom, truth, and accountability, we reject the use of unverified accusations to tarnish reputations without legal processes being duly followed”.
The group warned that it not the first time Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made sexual harassment allegations against prominent figures without providing substantial evidence or taking appropriate legal action.
They said in the past, she had accused Reno Omokri of sexual misconduct, but Omokri was able to prove beyond doubt that he was not even in the country at the time of the alleged incident. Despite this, the media space was flooded with the unverified allegations, and Omokri had to personally fight to clear his name.
They added that Senator Natasha also accused the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, of sexual harassment, but she never proceeded to court to substantiate her claims or seek justice through legal means.
The bloggers wondered why it is the turn of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, yet some ignorant Nigerians are joining her to fight blindly even when it is obvious that this is her mode of operation each time she had altercation with a male counterpart.
“Now, she has turned her attention to Senate President Akpabio, claiming that he sexually harassed her. However, instead of suing him directly to prove her claims, she has chosen to sue Akpabio’s aide for allegedly maligning her character in a press statement. This raises serious questions about her true motives and credibility.
“As content creators committed to ethical and factual reporting, we refuse to be drawn into sensationalizing claims that lack legal backing. We pose the following questions to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan:
“Why did you wait until your Senate seat was changed before raising these sexual harassment allegations? Is this a case of personal vendetta disguised as a fight for justice?
“Why would Senate President Akpabio, a sitting Senate President, allegedly harass you while your husband was walking behind you? Does this claim hold logical weight?
“If the alleged harassment happened in Akwa Ibom, why didn’t you raise an alarm immediately or report the matter when and where it supposedly happened? Why now?
“Why have you consistently refused to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against any of the men you accused but would rather concentrate on media trial of these men? So you would rather focus on defamation suits rather than sexual harassment suits?
“Why did you not raise your voice on the Senate floor or officially petition the Senate Ethics Committee regarding your allegations? Or better still report to the Nigerian Police, why did you take the issue straight to the media?” The coalition questioned.