•Akpabio and Natasha
A group, The Women for Change Vanguard, has announced a peaceful protest at the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja on Friday, March 14, starting at 11 a.m.
The group is calling on women to gather and demand evidence from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reports The Nation.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Arc (Mrs.) Margaret Adesuwa Ehilebo, the organisation emphasised the importance of accountability in addressing sexual misconduct claims.
“We stand at a critical juncture in our fight against sexual harassment and misconduct. The recent claims made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senator Akpabio raise serious concerns that warrant scrutiny,” the statement read.
The group reiterated that in any allegation of misconduct, the burden of proof lies with the accuser.
“If Senator Natasha claims to have been a victim of sexual harassment, we urge her to come forward with credible evidence to support her accusations. The gravity of such claims necessitates accountability,” Ehilebo added.
The group expressed concern over what they described as a troubling trend of misusing the #BelieveAllWomen mantra, which they believe can shield unfounded accusations against men.”
The group cautioned against the potential consequences of false accusations, stating that such behavior not only harms the accused but also diminishes the experiences of genuine survivors.
“We call on Senator Natasha to provide concrete evidence of her claims against Senator Godswill Akpabio. Should we be presented with such evidence, we will stand firm in ensuring that justice is served,” Ehilebo affirmed.
“Senator Akpabio must clear his name, while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must present substantial evidence regarding her allegations. We must not be perceived as weak. Instead, we must embody strength and resilience, particularly in the workplace and beyond,” Ehilebo concluded.
