Akpabio vs Natasha: Fayemi dismisses media reports, clarifies Senator’s comments

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed media reports that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) once accused him of sexual harassment.

Fayemi made the clarification following the reportage of the comments made by Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North) at Senate’s plenary in Abuja on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

The Fayemi Media Office, in a statement issued on Wednesday by Ahmad Sajoh, said the sexual harassment claim is false.

The former governor stated that his past engagements with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan were strictly professional.

He said any differences that arose from such engagements were purely based on divergent policy perspectives, not personal grievances.

The Fayemi Media Office said: “Our attention has been drawn to a news report published by The Cable regarding an alleged statement made by Senator Cyril Fasuyi during today’s Senate plenary. According to the report, Senator Fasuyi purportedly claimed that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously accused Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, of sexual harassment.

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“We wish to categorically state that this report is inaccurate and a misrepresentation of the actual comments made by the Distinguished Senator from Ekiti. Upon reviewing the proceedings, it is evident that Senator Fasuyi never made such an allegation. Instead, what he actually stated was that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had, in the past, made false and defamatory claims against Dr. Fayemi when he served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, specifically regarding issues related to the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“At no point did Senator Fasuyi link Dr. Fayemi to any allegations of sexual misconduct by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. We are therefore at a loss as to how The Cable arrived at such a grave and unfounded assertion.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to reiterate that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan—or anyone else, for that matter—has never accused Dr. Fayemi of any form of sexual misconduct. Dr. Fayemi has always upheld the highest standards of integrity in public service, and we strongly reject any attempt by the media to associate his name with baseless and damaging allegations.

“Furthermore, we wish to make it clear that Dr. Fayemi has no interest in being drawn into the ongoing controversy in the Senate. His past engagements with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan were strictly professional, and any differences that arose were purely based on divergent policy perspectives, not personal grievances.

“Consequently, there is absolutely no basis for any claim that Dr. Fayemi intends to submit a petition to the Senate on this matter.

“We urge the media to adhere to the highest standards of ethical journalism by verifying facts before publication. Sensationalism and the spread of misleading narratives not only damage reputations but also undermine public trust in the media.”

The Star