The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) has called for responsible reporting on the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, leveled by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
During a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, BAVCCA’s National Spokesperson, Tabuko Kennedy, expressed concerns about the growing trend of media sensationalism and trial by public opinion on sensitive issues without proper legal backing.
Kennedy noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has a history of making similar allegations against prominent figures, including Reno Omokri and Governor Yahaya Bello, without providing substantial evidence or taking appropriate legal action.
BAVCCA spokesman posed several questions to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, including why she waited until her Senate seat was changed to raise the allegations, and why she chose to sue Akpabio’s aide instead of the Senate President directly.
He emphasized the importance of ethical and factual reporting, urging bloggers, vloggers, and media houses to be responsible in reporting on the matter and to demand facts over fiction.
He said; “As stakeholders in the media and digital space, we believe that sexual harassment is a serious issue that should never be trivialized—but it should also never be weaponized for personal or political gain. The Nigerian Senate is a dignified institution and should not be dragged into unnecessary controversy over personal grievances.
“While we strongly support justice for all victims of harassment, we condemn the continuous media trials and the deliberate harassment of Senate President Akpabio. Accusations must be backed by credible evidence and pursued through the courts, not social media campaigns.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must either take her claims to court and present concrete evidence or cease this relentless pattern of media accusations. The integrity of our democracy and public institutions must be protected from politically motivated distractions.
“We, the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA), stand for truth, accountability, and responsible journalism.