Akwa Ibom Women Protest, Warn Natasha Against Abusing Office Of Senate President
Dozens of protesting women in Akwa Ibom State have voiced their anger over the recent accusations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The women described the allegations as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish the reputation of Nigeria’s number three citizen.
Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, the women staged a protest that halted traffic on major roads in Uyo, the state capital, for several hours. Chanting solidarity songs such as, “Natasha, we no go gree, the insult is too much, we no go gree,” the protesters issued a warning to Senator Natasha, urging her to refrain from further damaging the office of the Senate President.
Placards held by the protesters carried messages like “As Nigerian women, we respect our men, and our tradition,” and “Respect the office of the Senate President.”
Lady Unyime Ukpong, one of the protest leaders, explained that the demonstration was necessary to correct the narrative and dissuade any Nigerians, especially women, from believing the false accusations. She emphasized that Senator Natasha Akpoti, a married woman, was being used by political detractors to bring down the Senate President with a baseless and emotional allegation designed to gain public sympathy.
“We are happy that what she publicly announced in the media has been challenged in courts. She will have to provide evidence in a competent court of law. This is the height of embarrassment and cannot be tolerated,” Lady Ukpong stated.
The protest underscored the women’s call for respect for the office of the Senate President and a strong condemnation of what they described as an unwarranted attack on a public figure.
