Deji Adeyanju challenges Senator Natasha to provide evidence of sexual harassment claims against Akpabio
By Jeffrey Agbo
Human rights lawyer and activist, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, has criticised the ongoing political rift between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as a distraction from the pressing economic hardships facing Nigerians.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Adeyanju condemned the Senate’s preoccupation with personal conflicts while critical national issues remain unaddressed.
He noted that key lawmakers, including Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, had remained silent during debates on economic policies that have worsened the cost-of-living crisis. According to him, both senators supported the Tinubu administration’s contentious policies without offering meaningful opposition.
“The feud between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan is a mere distraction,” Adeyanju stated. “While Nigerians are grappling with soaring electricity tariffs, increased taxes, and the removal of fuel subsidies, the Senate is preoccupied with personal grievances.”
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He also criticised the lack of a unified stance in the Senate against policies detrimental to the populace, blaming both ruling and opposition lawmakers for failing to hold the government accountable. He cited the recent suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate Ethics Committee as further evidence of misplaced priorities in the legislature.
“When electricity tariffs were raised by over 300% and fuel subsidies were abolished, these senators did not object. Instead, they chose silence while Nigerians bore the brunt of these anti-people policies,” he said.
Adeyanju questioned the timing of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, urging her to provide credible evidence to support her allegations of harassment against Akpabio.
“If Senator Akpoti-Udughan believes she has been wronged, she must present evidence. However, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture—Nigerians are suffering, and the Senate must prioritise addressing their needs,” he emphasised.
Beyond the economic crisis, Adeyanju also highlighted other urgent national concerns, such as the case of Sunday Jackson, a young man in Adamawa facing a death sentence. He argued that such matters deserve more attention than political controversies.
He further criticised the government’s approach to taxation, warning that imposing higher taxes on struggling businesses would only worsen the economic downturn. Instead, he advocated for tax relief measures to support businesses and stimulate economic growth.
