In a powerful display of solidarity, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw has publicly supported Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan amid her ongoing legal challenges involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The controversy ignited on February 20, 2025, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan resisted a sudden change in her Senate seating arrangement, leading to a heated exchange during plenary.
This incident escalated further when, during an interview on Arise Television, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making unwelcome sexual advances towards her during a visit to his residence in December 2023. She alleged that her subsequent marginalization in Senate activities, particularly her efforts to investigate corruption at the Ajaokuta Steel Company, was a retaliatory measure.
In response to these allegations, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio filed defamation lawsuits against Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeking N350 billion in damages. She claimed that the accusations had caused significant emotional and psychological distress to her and their children.
Amidst this turmoil, Kate Henshaw took to Instagram on March 5, 2025, to express her support for Akpoti-Uduaghan. In her post, Henshaw reflected on the societal challenges women face, particularly in leadership roles, stating:
“We forget so readily how far we have come. We forget our lineage, our history, our strength. We are told we are weak, we are spineless, and cannot think. We accept the new role foisted on us, the subtle submission imposed by religion, by society, by tradition.
“They tell us we cannot govern, we cannot rule, we cannot make our own decisions. They tell us to shut up and sit down. Women like children are to be seen not heard. Do you not know that in nearly all species, the female is much more deadly than the male? We are the offspring of countless women-warriors!!💪”
By Ezinne Okorie.
