A political advocacy group, Action Collective (AC), has demanded an explanation from Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding his sudden withdrawal from a presidential panel established to investigate sexual harassment allegations made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja and signed by its coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the group expressed surprise at Akpabio’s departure from the panel, which was formed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 2, 2025.
The matter was disclosed on Politics Today on Channels Television, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
The panel, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was created to address the serious allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which have captured national attention.
The panel’s members included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Attorney General of the Federation; and nominees selected by both Senator Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
According to Action Collective, the primary aim of the panel was to thoroughly investigate the allegations, and the group urged that the process remain transparent and unbiased.
“We are alarmed by reports that Senator Akpabio withdrew from the panel without providing any formal justification. We have been informed that his reasons for stepping down include claims of undue interference by the executive and a lack of confidence in the panel’s impartiality,” the group stated.
The group also questioned whether Akpabio’s withdrawal signaled a loss of trust in President Tinubu’s leadership. “Does Akpabio’s action imply a lack of faith in the current administration? If so, he owes the public an explanation,” they added.
The group also criticized attempts to divert attention from the issue, highlighting that recent efforts to discredit Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through proxies, including a controversial academic, were unsuccessful and only exposed those behind them.
“We call on Nigerian leaders and the public to speak out and ensure that the truth is not concealed. The presidency, having taken a positive step by setting up this panel, must ensure that the investigation is pursued to its conclusion without bias,” the statement concluded.
, has demanded an explanation from Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding his sudden withdrawal from a presidential panel established to investigate sexual harassment allegations made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.){kind=link}