By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Charles Preye Zuofa, a former classmate to the Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed allegations of sexual harassments against the former Akwa Ibom State governor, describing the allegations as inconsistent with his character.
Zuofa, who hails from Kaiama in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State said for the over 50 years he had known the Senate President, nothing of such could describe his character.
He said unless otherwise proven, Akpabio had never displayed any attitude suggestive of sexual harassment in the over 50 years he had closely related with him, insisting that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations and the one made earlier by a former Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunueh, were all strange to him.
Zuofa went down memory lane to recall how his relationship with Akpabio started at the Federal Government College (FGC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State saying Akpabio was fondly called ‘Gody A’ because of his sense of humour and intelligence.
He said: “Gody A as we used to call him back then in FGC Port Harcourt was a very intelligent, yet humorous student. Before stand-up comedy became popular in Nigeria, ‘Gody A’ was a stand-up comedian. He contested I think in our 4th year and won the best DJ and stand-up comedian of the school; it was thereafter that we coined and gave him the nickname ‘Gody A’.
“The Senate President was someone who made light of what would ordinarily pass for serious situations. He always cracked jokes to make everyone feel comfortable in his presence. The Senate President even in his humorous nature was a serious minded, studious and intelligent student who exhibited high level leadership qualities.
“He was our Senior Prefect and, you know to be Senior Prefect you must be a well-rounded individual who embodies leadership, responsibility, integrity, and strong interpersonal skills. As Senior Prefect, Godswill Akpabio played a crucial role in maintaining order, fostering a positive school environment, and serving as a role model for the entire student body.
“Am not surprised that the high-quality leadership traits he exhibited back then, has now catapulted him to the leadership of the legislative arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Zuofa said after their FGC years, he still maintained close relationship and contact with the Senate President and was part of many public engagements, celebrations and receptions involving Akpabio.
“A documentary was made to celebrate Godswill Akpabio at 50. I spoke on behalf of his friends in the documentary. I was also present at his 59th birthday held in Uyo. I was further present at his 61st birthday and well attended triumphant homecoming held at the world renowned Godswill Akpabio Stadium. My presence and active involvement at the organization of these milestone events underscore the durability and depth of our relationship”, he said.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations made against Akpabio by Natasha, he said: “But the allegations of sexual harassment do not align with the behaviour and conduct of the Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio that I have known and interacted with very closely for 50 years.
“Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio who is a remarkably close friend and, about whom I can safely give a character opinion has always displayed and treated women with utmost courtesy and respect. I must restate that the current allegations of sexual harassment are entirely contrary to my personal experience of the Senate President, and I would consider it totally unfounded until otherwise proven”.
Zuofa said he was present at the guided tour of Akpabio’s House in Uyo, where Natasha claimed that the Senate President made some improper comments about her.
He said: “Specifically, on the allegations of improper comments made during the guided tour of the new residence of the Senate President in Uyo, I want to state that I was at his residence on the eve of the celebrations of his 61st birthday, I met Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband, High Chief Uduaghan, and I was also part of those that went on the guided tour of the new home, alongside the Uduaghans.
“Thereafter we all (including the Uduaghans) gathered just before midnight in the chapel located within the new residence, and at precisely midnight we all prayed, sang and all wished our friend, brother and leader (the Senate President) a happy birthday. All of us departed the residence shortly afterwards because the immediate family wanted to continue the praise and worship session with the Senate President.
“On the morning of 9th day of December 2023, which was the actual birthday, we celebrated the Senate President at the stadium after which we all had lunch at his residence. We all stayed till late, until the Senate President retired. I departed Uyo on 10th December 2023.
“At this point, it is pertinent for me to state that throughout the guided tour, I neither saw or heard the Senate President say or do anything suggestive of inappropriate advances or comments towards Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, nor did I observe any discomfort on her part or on the part of her husband.”
On the earlier allegations of sexual harassment made by Nunieh, Zuofa said: “The allegations as we all know occurred after a security report from Mr, Abba Kyari the then Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari indicating that she had issues with her NYSC programme led to her removal as Interim Administrator of NDDC so as to avoid embarrassment for the government of the day.
“At that time, it was alleged that her NYSC certificate was forged and if you recall, this was shortly after the then Finance Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mrs. Kemi Adeosun who had a similar problem, voluntarily resigned her position. Barrister Nunieh had wrongly alleged at the time that it was because she rebuffed the advances from the then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, that she was removed. The clear facts of the matter proved otherwise as we all know.
“I have been a very close friend of the uncommon Senate President for 50 years, during which period he served as commissioner, governor, senator, minister and presently the Senate President. Throughout, this period he hosted men and women from different backgrounds and there has never been any complaint of harassment made against him (whether sexual or otherwise).”
Zuofa added: “The instant allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is strange as was the one made by Joy Nunieh, which was never proven. There appears to be a common trend in these allegations to the extent that the allegations were made by the accusers after the occurrence of events that the accusers considered as being averse to their interest.
“This is not to discount the fact that they reserve the right to make their allegations at any time they deem necessary provided that they can prove such allegations whenever called upon to do so. Let me state again that the Senate President has never, for the 50years I have been a close friend of his, exhibited any character trait indicative or suggestive of someone that would sexually harass anyone and, I have never heard any allegations in that regard with the exception of the allegations made by Joy Nunieh (former Interim Administrator of NDDC) and recently, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan”.
Zuofa advised the Senate President to continue to render the support that he had always provided to the President of the country and, not be discouraged by what he described as deliberate attempts at distracting him.
He said: “The relationship between the two arms of government should be complimentary and not confrontational for the much needed synergy towards nation building and rapid infrastructural development.
“I would also advise him that while, I understand the embarrassment, ridicule and hurt that he, his wife and children as well as other well-wishers would be feeling at this time as a result of these allegations, he should as he has always done, take it as part of the sacrifices he would make in his role as the leader of the legislative arm of government.
“He should continue to exhibit his usual humble character and not be deterred in his resolve towards ensuring that women are given their pride of place within the politics of the Nation just as he exhibited or displayed during his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State”.
