A political pressure group, Action Collective (AC), has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to explain his sudden withdrawal from a presidential panel investigating allegations of sexual harassment made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
The group’s demand follows a revelation made during a recent episode of Politics Today on Channels Television, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, that Akpabio had opted out of the panel without any public statement or justification.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja and signed by its coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, AC described the development as disturbing and damaging to public trust.
“We are surprised to hear that Senator Akpabio has withdrawn from the investigation panel without offering any official explanation,” the statement read. “The development has triggered widespread speculation across the country.”
Dr. Ibrahim confirmed that the investigative panel was established on April 2, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Other members include the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Attorney General of the Federation; and representatives nominated by both Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan.
According to the group, the panel was given a mandate to look into what it termed “serious allegations that have drawn national attention and embarrassment.”
The group further alleged that Akpabio’s withdrawal was internally justified by claims of “undue interference” from the Executive and “lack of confidence” in the panel’s neutrality.
“If that is true, is Senator Akpabio suggesting that he lacks confidence in the current presidency or in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself?” the statement asked. “He owes Nigerians and the world an explanation—or he should step aside as President of the Senate.”
The group also condemned what it described as diversionary tactics to deflect public attention from the issue. “Recently, one controversial and discredited Prof. Mgbake was sponsored to raise some allegations against Senator Natasha,” the group said. “But the God of justice exposed both the sponsor and the woman, and they have yet to recover from the shame.”
Action Collective urged elder statesmen and civil society to speak out. “We are calling on leaders of thought to speak up and save the image of our dear nation. We also commend the presidency for initiating the probe and insist that it must not be swept under the carpet.”
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