Natasha: Atiku’s remarks on Akpabio defamatory – Abati

Former presidential spokesman Reuben Abati has accused ex-Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of making defamatory remarks against Senate President Godswill Akpabio following the sexual harassment allegations against him.

Abati said Akpabio can demand that Atiku provide proof to back such claims.

In an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie of Untold Stories, the former Vice President accused the Senate President of being a corrupt leader with a weakness for women.

The former Vice President claimed that Akpabio was known for having the “habit of abusing women.”

He said: “Not only is he corrupt, but he is also in the habit of abusing women.

“I was not surprised that the state of emergency passed in the National Assembly because I know that the leadership is corrupt, and I have no apologies for saying that. They could do anything.

“The Senate President has been known for such behavior even when he was a governor.”;

However, responding during Arise TV's Morning Show on Wednesday, Abati said: “In the interview Waziri of Adamawa had with Adesuwa, two major things stood out in that interview; first was Waziri referring to Akpabio as always having issues with women, that he has a habit of abusing women, and that he was guilty of corruption.

“I hope that Waziri Adamawa, who has been Vice President of this country, realizes that it's defamatory because Akpabio may decide to take the option of asking him to prove that he's guilty of corruption, having not been previously convicted in that regard.”

Kogi West Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

The light-skinned lawmaker alleged that Akpabio deprived her of some privileges for refusing his sexual overtures.