A coalition of civil society organisations, spearheaded by the Independent Public Service and Accountability Watch (IPSAW) and Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI), has publicly criticised Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for her handling of sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The groups, addressing journalists on Wednesday, described the senator’s actions as “theatrics and deviation” from pursuing justice through legal channels.
They accused her of opting for “political dramatisation and media sensationalism” over formal redress.
Comrade Adeniran Taiwo Olugbenga and Comrade Stephen Eriba, speaking for several advocacy groups, including the Allied Civil Society Organization (ACSO) and Guardians of Democracy and Development, condemned Senator Natasha’s reliance on social media and defamation suits. They argued that her approach has muddied the waters around her serious claims.
“This is not how democracy works. This is not how justice is pursued,” the coalition declared.
The CSOs stressed that Senator Natasha’s allegation of sexual harassment on the Senate floor warranted evidence-backed legal action, not a “media-fueled crusade riddled with emotional outbursts.”
While acknowledging the courage required to confront a high-ranking official, the coalition warned that her current tactics risk undermining genuine survivors of abuse. They cautioned that politicising such allegations could erode trust in real victims and harm political discourse.
“When you raise an allegation as profound as sexual harassment, the burden of proof is a civic duty, not a political inconvenience,” he said.
The groups further expressed concern that Senator Natasha’s approach could damage decades of advocacy for gender equity and due process. They called on women’s rights advocates to prioritise fairness and integrity over sentiment.
“No one should be silenced, but no one should hijack real struggles for personal gamesmanship,” the coalition said.
