A coalition of civil society organisations and political support groups has declared its unwavering support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, dismissing the recent allegation of sexual harassment against him as politically motivated.
In a resounding show of solidarity, the coalition passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio, maintaining that his leadership remains crucial for legislative stability.
At a press conference held in Abuja, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), the Tinubu/Shettima Support Movement (TSSM), and the Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora (NPID) strongly defended Akpabio, asserting that the accusation is part of a broader plot to destabilize the Senate and undermine his leadership.
The coalition described the allegation as a “desperate political attack” aimed at removing Akpabio due to his strong working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Alhaji Tijani Ali Danjuma, National Coordinator of TSSM, reaffirmed Akpabio’s integrity, emphasizing that his record in public service remains unblemished. “Senator Akpabio is a man of integrity who has never been involved in any form of sexual misconduct,” Danjuma stated. He added that the accusation was a smear campaign designed to weaken the stability of the National Assembly.
Dr. Obiora Okereke, President of NPID, questioned the timing of the allegation, noting that it only surfaced after certain political developments. “Why did she wait until after her Senate seat was reassigned before making this claim? If she truly experienced harassment, why didn’t she report it when it allegedly happened?” he asked, suggesting that the claim was driven by political motivations rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
The coalition further argued that there is no credible evidence to support the allegation, pointing out that in a highly secured environment like the Senate, such an incident would not have gone unnoticed. “There are no eyewitness accounts, no security reports, and no CCTV footage to back her claims,” Segun Okeowo, Director of COCSON, stated. He further emphasized that without tangible proof, the accusation should not be given undue attention.
Instead of following established legal and institutional channels, the coalition accused the complainant of resorting to media sensationalism. “The Nigerian Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee exists to address misconduct among lawmakers,” Okereke noted. “Instead of following due process, she rushed to the media, proving that her aim is scandal, not justice.”
The coalition described the attack on Akpabio as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated allegations against leaders perceived to be too influential. According to the groups, the Senate President has been a stabilizing force within the National Assembly, and certain individuals and opposition figures are uncomfortable with his leadership. “Those who see Senator Akpabio’s good working relationship with President Tinubu as a threat want to remove him,” Danjuma said. “His leadership has ensured stability and progress in the Senate, which some opposition elements find unsettling.”
As part of their demands, the coalition called for a full-scale investigation into the allegation to determine its credibility. They insisted that if the claims are found to be false, the accuser should face legal consequences for defamation. “We demand that she either provides concrete evidence or faces legal consequences for defamation,” Okeowo stated, adding that Nigeria must not allow baseless accusations to become a tool for political blackmail.
They vowed to resist any attempt to use unproven allegations to tarnish Akpabio’s reputation and called on Nigerians to reject what they described as a growing culture of media trials and character assassination. “We say NO to false allegations! We say NO to politically motivated smear campaigns! We say NO to attempts to remove Senator Akpabio through deceit and propaganda!” the coalition declared.
and then