Senate President Godswill Akpabio has criticized Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central for raising sexual harassment allegations against him at an international parliamentary conference, accusing her of attempting to embarrass Nigeria.

During Thursday’s plenary, Akpabio condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s remarks at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in New York, stating that she presented a misleading narrative.

“She has externalized the matter by attempting to embarrass the Federal Republic of Nigeria by giving a narrative at the IPU-UN event that is totally different from what occurred in the Senate,” Akpabio said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, speaking at the conference on Tuesday, alleged that she was “illegally suspended” from the Senate after filing a petition accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.

Responding, Akpabio dismissed her claims, insisting she had bypassed Nigeria’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms and the judiciary by taking her case to the international stage.

“We have our own internal mechanisms for resolving issues in Nigeria. Outside this parliament, we also have the judiciary, and she is already standing before it,” he said.

He further criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan for failing to follow due process, noting that she had presented her case on multiple platforms without allowing any of them to fully address it.

“Even here, she has brought a petition but has not allowed us to look into it. She went to court but has not allowed the court to look into it. Now, she has taken the matter to the international community, and she may not even allow them to look into it,” he added.

Akpabio reiterated that the Senate operates within constitutional limits and remains committed to the rule of law. He also praised Kafilat Ogbara, a House of Representatives member, for countering Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims at a press conference. He urged the international media to avoid misrepresenting Nigeria.