The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has advised against the call for the resignation of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, following allegations of sexual harassment against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
CAN, speaking through its chairman for the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. Joseph Hayab, called for restraint and caution in handling the situation.
The cleric, during an engagement with journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday, said that as a responsible religious body, CAN “considers the feud shameful and unfortunate.”
Dismissing calls for Akpabio’s resignation as premature, the Christian body stressed the need for elders and respected figures to mediate in the dispute to uphold the integrity of the National Assembly.
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CAN said, “There is a need for elders to intervene. Akpabio and Natasha have some people that they respect and hold in high regard.
“The members of the National Assembly should do what they must do to address the matter.
“We should show that we are responsible people in addressing the matter, it is not to find fault but to mend fences.’’
“No one should toy with an allegation of sexual harassment, but Nigeria has gone past this kind of thing. Nigeria has gone past the era when people claim they are underdogs or minorities,’’ it added.
The Kogi senator had accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her, sparking mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some calling for the Senate President to step down.
However, CAN maintained that it was too early to demand Akpabio’s resignation, arguing that no concrete evidence had been established.
“Any group calling for Akpabio to resign should desist because no one has been proven guilty in this matter yet. Taking sides will only escalate the issue,” the Christian body stated.
CAN also urged a responsible and measured approach to addressing the allegation, cautioning against sensationalism.
“No one should trivialize an allegation of sexual harassment, but Nigeria has moved past an era where people play the victim card.
“The focus should be on resolving the matter responsibly rather than apportioning blame,” the statement read.
The association also called on the media to exercise restraint in their reportage to prevent further division along gender and regional lines.
It urged all involved parties to sheath their swords and focus on national unity, while also advising lawmakers to channel their energy into addressing the country’s pressing issues, particularly as the 2025 budget has already been passed.
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