Akpabio Mocks Oshiomhole Over Viral Video Of Foot Massage

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday brought back the talk about a viral video. The video shows Senator Adams Oshiomhole massaging the feet of South African influencer and adult content creator Leshaan Dagama during a Senate session.

Mr Akpabio joked about the video while replying to Mr Oshiomhole’s objections to the confirmation of former Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Vice-Chancellor Abayomi Fasina as a non-career ambassador.

During this back and forth, the Senate President said lawmakers had initially ignored the video. They thought it was made using artificial intelligence (AI). He mentioned that the Senate could take a look at it if they receive any proof.

This comment reopened a debate that started back in February. At that time, Mr Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, dismissed the clip as something created by AI.

But Ms Dagama claimed the video was real. She urged Nigerians to hold Mr Oshiomhole accountable for the issue, not her.

The Jibe

While teasing Mr Oshiomhole, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State said: "I don’t want to go outside what we are doing. I would have asked a question. When there was a picture showing one of our senators in a plane massaging the leg of a girl. Senator Oshiomhole, your very good friend, Senator Lalong came to give me security information.

"He said that we just ignored the massage because we thought it was AI but if you have other evidence we have a petition before us. We can look into it if it is not AI."

Abayomi Fasina’s Confirmation

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Oshiomhole opposed Mr Fasina’s confirmation. He urged the Senate to hold off on the process until the court made a decision on the allegations.

The 74-year-old said: "It’s of public knowledge that this gentleman, Nigerian women, have brought the attention of this senate that the professor in question has been accused by two women, not just orally, that these issues are pending before different courts. And I think the general view is that nobody says he’s guilty, he’s presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.

"As a matter of sensitivity, a man who faces cases like that, for the senate to endorse him, we are much to bring necessity to the feelings of women. Because not just one woman, there are two women on different allegations. So I thought that in matters like this, it will be more prudent that we wait and ask the guy to clear himself before the courts."

READ ALSO: ‘Video wasn’t AI, but okay, believe your Senator’ South African model tells Nigerians

Background

Mr Oshiomhole and some senators were against the confirmation of Mr Fasina due to sexual harassment claims against him.

Mr Fasina had gone before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Senator Sani Bello (Niger North), for screening as directed by the Senate.

His confirmation was delayed after many Nigerians, especially civil society groups (CSOs), called for the withdrawal of his nomination because of the allegations.

After the discussions, Mr Akpabio announced Mr Fasina’s confirmation as a non-career ambassador.

This means Mr Fasina will get a diplomatic position from the Presidency soon.