Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan in War of Words Over Senate Crisis, Sexual Harassment Allegation
Abuja – The Senate has been thrown into turmoil as the rift between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central escalates, following her suspension and allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President.
The controversy began two weeks ago during a heated plenary session, when Akpoti-Uduaghan objected to the relocation of her seat and declared she was not afraid of Akpabio. The tension deepened when the senator appeared on a live television program the following day, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment. This led to her six-month suspension by the Senate, a decision widely condemned by rights groups and activists who demanded a fair hearing.
Akpabio: Natasha Fond of Traumatic, ‘Useless’ Allegations
At an event marking International Women’s Day, Akpabio dismissed the accusations, claiming that the Kogi lawmaker had a history of making baseless allegations. He suggested that her claims were linked to changes in her committee assignment and seat location.
“It was only yesterday I realised that all hell broke loose after a change of seat and committee,” Akpabio said. “This was said to have happened on December 8, 2023, a day before my birthday. From that time until now, neither I nor my wife, nor any Nigerian, nor even her husband heard anything about this issue until her committee was changed.”
He further alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had falsely accused others in the past, bringing unnecessary trauma to those involved. “Do you even wonder about the trauma caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations?” he added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan Fights Back
Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected Akpabio’s claims and insisted on a formal investigation. Through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, she pointed out that a similar allegation of sexual harassment had previously been made against Akpabio by former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, Joy Nunieh.
“If Akpabio is innocent, why are there two allegations of sexual harassment against him?” Giwa questioned. “Akpabio should subject himself to an investigation instead of dismissing these claims.”
Giwa also alleged that the Senate President was manipulating legislative processes to avoid scrutiny and victimising Akpoti-Uduaghan for rejecting his advances. “Is it true that Natasha has been prevented from participating in international engagements involving senators? Is it true that she has been forced to use her funds for official trips while others have their expenses covered? These are hard facts that need to be addressed,” he said.
Despite pressure, Giwa maintained that his client would not back down from her legal battle against Akpabio. He confirmed that stakeholders, including Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Imaan Suleiman, were working to mediate the conflict, with a meeting scheduled for next week.
Senate Justifies Suspension
Amid the controversy, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was unrelated to her allegations against Akpabio but rather due to “gross misconduct.”
Bamidele stated, “If Senator Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit. But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution.”
He outlined the reasons for her suspension, which include:
- Refusing to sit in her assigned seat despite multiple pleas from the Minority Leader and senior senators.
- Speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer, violating parliamentary procedures.
- Engaging in disruptive behavior that obstructed Senate proceedings.
- Making disrespectful remarks against the Senate leadership.
- Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Bamidele urged the public to disregard false reports and avoid spreading politically motivated narratives about the suspension.
What’s Next?
With tensions still high, all eyes remain on the Senate and the potential outcome of a formal investigation into Akpabio’s conduct. Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to push for justice, while Akpabio seeks to defend his reputation. The upcoming mediation meeting with the Women Affairs Minister may play a crucial role in determining the next steps in this political drama.
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