Harassment allegations: Leave our son alone — Niger Delta women warn Natasha

Women from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria have warned the Senator representing Kogi Central District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against her recent claim of sexual harassment, which has been trending in the media against the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

Recall that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, during an interview with Arise TV, accused the Senate President of sexually harassing her in the Red Chamber, claiming suppression and victimization due to her refusal to succumb to his advances.

The women of the region, where the Senate President hails from, viewed the accusation as a ploy to discredit and tarnish Akpabio’s image, adding that they would not allow a fellow woman to bring down their revered son, a renowned citizen of the country, so cheaply.

The women, who marched around the Uyo Plaza on Saturday while displaying placards with inscriptions such as “‘Number 3 man deserves respect, Natasha, show some,’ ‘Ijaw women demand respect for our leaders,’ ‘Natasha, don’t embarrass us with your behavior,’ ‘Respect for husbands is our tradition, Natasha,'” among others, demanded an apology from Natasha or risk facing their wrath.

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Addressing the protest, Grace Mathias from Essien Udim Local Government said that women from Akwa Ibom, in particular, would not tolerate any disrespectful behavior from anyone, including Natasha, against their elders.

Mathias noted that if Natasha continued with such allegations, they would pray to God to release a “spiritual cane” to put her in order.

Her words: “We want Natasha to leave our son alone. Whenever she tries it again, the women will kneel and pray, and heaven will rise against her.

“She should stop tarnishing the image of our son, who was well trained in the ways of the Lord. Our son doesn’t disrespect women. Stop harassing and disrespecting him; he is precious to us.

“We, the women of Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta, are saying that this should be the first and last time you will address our son in such a disrespectful manner. We are out here today to tell you, Natasha, that our son is precious to us.

“In this region, we respect our men; we don’t disrespect them. So, we want to tell you to stop harassing our son. Our son was trained in the ways of the Lord, and enough is enough.

“If we hear about this again, we will go down on our knees to pray against you, and God Almighty will release a cane that will flog you.

“There is no peace for the wicked, and for plotting evil against our son, evil will return to you because you want to bring a bad name to him. Your plan will not succeed in the life of our son.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE