- Senator Akpabio apologised to Senator Natasha over a derogatory comment made last week during plenary
- He also addressed the “side chicks” allegations levelled against him by the faceless blog, Gistlover
- Some Nigerians think he was noble with his apology, while others thought it was still rude
Nigeria's Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has apologised to the Senator Natasha
Akpoti Uduaghan over the “nightclub” comment he made during plenary on July 19.
Senator Akpabio had told the senator representing Kogi Central that she was not in a nightclub and had to be recognised before she could speak.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, July 23, Akpabio said he was misunderstood because he would never deliberately denigrate a woman and never intend to insult any woman.
Akpabio also mentioned that he and his wife got thousands of calls of insults from Nigerians, and his own phone crashed from the impact of the calls.
He said: “I will not intentionally denigrate any woman. I have a wife and four daughters and I always pray that God will uplift women. Distinguished Senator Natasaha, I want to apologise to you, if you felt offended. If I had mentioned that we are not in the market, they would say I said you are a market woman… for me, there is nothing I will say that will not be misunderstood.
“The interest shown In the social media shows that we have a lot of political enemies. I felt I should tender a public apology to you. I do not mean any harm. People should concentrate on things that will move this country forward
“Social media handlers should practice with decorum. We won’t, out of anger, regulate social media.”
He also denied Gistlover’s claims that he had affairs with some celebrities and added that he has one wife and is content with her.
Nigerians react to the Senate President’s apology
Some Nigerians applauded the senator for apologising, while others felt his apology was not sincere and that he did not properly address the issue of his alleged “side chicks.”
Here are some of the comments that followed the apology
@ezenekwechinedu posted: “In my opinion this is the only meaningful contribution and statement you have said since you entered that chambers. Kudos.”
@seunosewa posted: “This is a terrible apology.”
@donpanacio posted: “Smart and wise senate President Akpabio! This is how to do it, when you make a statement that people felt offended by, come out publicly and apologise directly to them! Many Nigerians who are accusing him cannot and will never apologise publicly this way!
Th@GidiDanAuta posted: You try by apologizing SP. Though you tactically cover up the side chicks using wives. I felt for your wife. Sorry about that dey rather stay silent!”
@Dapsijaiye posted: “Dear Akpabio. They didn’t allege you have many wives. They alluded to “side chicks”. Can you talk about that? We know madam is one but Assistant Madams nko?”
@donald_segun posted: “It's good that he's apologised over the comment he made. It is refreshing that he's now aware that people are interested in what goes on in the senate.”
@ImmortalRichy posted: “The way he is talking, he knows he is in big problem, he knows he messed up and he knows that he's not safe. He never expected that can happen.”
@dearestiroros posted: “Learn to choose your words carefully before speaking in the public domain and also while chairing the senate session.”
@ogiemegha71751 posted: “Nightclub Senate president. What comes to your mind when you were referring to your fellow senator Natasha as nightclub. As for accusing you of having multiple wives why can't you prove to Gist lovers that you are not guilty of the accusations or you are innocent.”
@lusciousebi posted: “Very good, it's easy for anyone to apologise yet alone give a public apology. You've done well.”
@Irunnia_ posted: “GISTLOVER is fukcing goated man. A whole senate president folded?”
@RealOlaudah posted: “Apology said with pride. Nonsense.”
@DanielRegha posted: “"We are here to cater for their interests". With N70k minimum wage & zero palliatives? Shout-out to Akpabio.”
Dakore debunks allegations of affair with Akpabio, threatens lawsuit
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nollywood actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande had denied the allegations levelled against her anonymous controversial blogger Gistlover.
In a now-viral video, Dakore, who was on a vacation with her family in the United States of America, expressed her shock at the allegations and stated that she had never even met the senate president, Godswill Akpabio.