Stop Playing The Victim! Northern CAN Fires Back At Natasha Over Akpabio Harassment Claims

Senator Natasha, representing Kogi Central, had accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her, sparking widespread reactions, including calls for the Senate President’s resignation.

However, CAN has dismissed these calls, labeling them premature and emphasizing the need for a fair and measured approach. The religious body stressed that the era of playing the victim card is over and urged respected elders to intervene to uphold the dignity of the National Assembly.

Rev. Joseph Hayab, Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, described the situation as “shameful and unfortunate,” urging a peaceful resolution.

“There is a need for elders to step in. Both Akpabio and Natasha have individuals they respect, and the National Assembly must take responsibility for handling this issue,” Hayab stated during a media engagement in Kaduna on Tuesday.

He cautioned against rushing to conclusions, stating, “Any group demanding Akpabio’s resignation should reconsider, as no one has been proven guilty. Taking sides will only escalate tensions.”

Hayab further emphasized the need for a responsible approach to the matter, warning against sensationalism.

“Sexual harassment allegations should never be trivialized, but Nigeria has moved past an era of playing the victim card. The focus should be on resolving the issue responsibly rather than assigning blame,” he added.

CAN also urged the media to exercise caution in their reporting to prevent fueling divisions along gender and regional lines.