Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Akpabio Part of Plot to Remove Him as Senate President — PANDEF

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has raised concerns over the sexual harassment allegations leveled against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs. According to PANDEF, the allegations are part of a larger scheme to remove Akpabio from office and disrupt the political landscape.

In a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF claimed that the accusations were part of an orchestrated plan to prevent President Bola Tinubu from seeking re-election in 2027. The statement argues that the move is the beginning of a political battle, with the North allegedly trying to reclaim power in the upcoming election after two consecutive terms under President Muhammadu Buhari.

PANDEF described the situation as a targeted attack on the Southern Nigeria-led presidency, emphasizing that it was now the South’s turn to produce the next president, following two terms under the North. The forum also expressed concern over statements made by the publicity secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), which it interpreted as part of an effort to incite Northern Nigeria against Tinubu’s administration.

The statement continued: “It is very sad that the supposed revered Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has turned itself into a political hired machine for politicians. The press release by the Publicity Secretary of the ACF is nothing but a political war against the entire people of Southern Nigeria, aiming to incite Northern Nigeria against the administration of President Bola Tinubu to restore power to Northern Nigeria in 2027.”

PANDEF further called for support for Akpabio, urging the President of the Senate to remain confident in the face of what it called a calculated political attack against both his office and the Southern Nigeria-led presidency. The forum also emphasized that the Senate operates according to its own established rules and that the ACF should not dictate how the Senate conducts its business.

“Those who feel offended usually go to a competent court of law. That has been the normal practice,” PANDEF stated, warning that ACF’s actions were a threat to the unity of Nigeria. The forum concluded by expressing its opposition to any moves that would lead to division or chaos within the country, asserting that PANDEF would continue to support the interests of Southern Nigeria and the integrity of the Senate.