EXTRA: ‘Forgive this stubborn woman’ — Natasha Akpoti writes satirical apology letter to Akpabio

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, has issued a satirical apology letter to Godswill Akpabio, president of the senate.  

Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused the senate president of sexually harassing her, days after their clash in the legislative chamber over seating rearrangement.

In the letter, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed “deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret” for “the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect” in Akpabio’s presence.

She acknowledged her “unforgivable failure to recognise that legislative success in certain quarters is apparently not earned through merit, but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind”.

The senator sarcastically apologised for prioritising “competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors”.

“I now realize the catastrophic consequences of my actions: legislation delayed, tempers flared, and the tragic bruising of egos so large they require their own postcodes,” she added.

“For this disruption to the natural order of “quid pro quo,” I bow my head in fictional shame.

“Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.”

BACKGROUND

On April 4, Akpabio described as “baseless, false, and inflammatory” allegations made against him by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In a statement, Eseme Eyiboh, special adviser on media and publicity to the senate president, said a formal letter demanding public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational damage, is being prepared for the Kogi central senator.

Eyiboh described the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan at a rally in Kogi as “a complete fabrication” and “a dangerous attempt to provoke unrest and attract undue media attention”.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had said any violent acts during her visit to her constituents should be blamed on Akpabio; Usman Ododo, Kogi governor; and Yahaya Bello, former governor of the state.

The hostility between Akpabio and the Kogi central senator became public in February when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president of making sexual advances towards her.

She claimed the incidents occurred at his office and in his residence in Akwa Ibom state.

The allegation came in the wake of her seating arrangement altercation with Akpabio in the red chamber.

On March 6, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for “gross misconduct”.