A group of protesters from the Women for Change Vanguard gathered at the United Nations office in Abuannes on Friday, calling for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide evidence of her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpapbio.The protesters, chanting solidarity songs and displaying banners, challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan to back up her claims with concrete evidence.
The protest comes on the heels of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension without pay from the Senate, which she claims is a result of her rejection of Akpapbio’s alleged sexual advances. However, the Senate maintains that her suspension is due to misconduct.
Irene Umoh, leader of the protesters, emphasized the need for accountability and evidence-based claims. “We call on Senator Natasha to provide concrete evidence of her claims against Senator Godswill Akpapbio. If credible evidence is presented, we will stand firm in our commitment to ensuring justice is served,” Umoh stated.
The protesters also warned against the dangers of false accusations, which can harm the accused and undermine the experiences of genuine survivors. They emphasized the importance of holding both parties accountable and ensuring that justice is served.
The UN Senior Human Rights Advisor, Adwoa Kufuor, received the protesters’ petition and promised to channel their grievances to the relevant authorities.
