The National Association of Nigerian Students has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its National Vice President, Sileola Akinbodunse, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, NANS stressed the need for a swift resolution to prevent the issue from escalating into a national and international controversy.
Akinbodunse appealed to both lawmakers to prioritise peace, cautioning that their rift should not be allowed to damage the reputation of the National Assembly.
“The National Assembly is a key organ of the government which should be occupied by exemplary and forthright representatives of the people.
“The face-off between Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Godswill Akpabio should not be allowed to fester,” the statement read.
She further warned that the allegation of sexual harassment against Akpabio must be handled with care, as any mismanagement of the matter could attract negative international attention to Nigeria.
While acknowledging that Akpoti-Uduaghan had yet to provide concrete evidence to support her claims, Akinbodunse stressed the importance of a thorough investigation to determine the validity of the accusations.
NANS also warned that the student body would closely monitor developments and take action if the dispute remained unresolved.
“We will not hesitate to march to the National Assembly if the face-off is not resolved,” the statement concluded.
The controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan, during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her on two occasions.
She further alleged that her seating arrangement in the Senate was deliberately altered to hinder her legislative contributions.
Drawing a parallel to academic settings, she likened her situation to that of a student who fails an exam for refusing to engage in inappropriate relations with a lecturer.
However, Akpabio, through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo, dismissed the accusations as “baseless and fictitious lies,” denying any wrongdoing.
