The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has described her recent suspension from the Nigerian Senate as a deliberate attempt to silence her.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that she is being victimized.
“I am being victimised. My suspension is a way to silence me,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan further recounted her encounter with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that he had sexually harassed her. She recalled an incident at Akpabio’s country home, where he allegedly squeezed her hand in a suggestive manner and made inappropriate remarks.
“He then squeezed my hands in a very suggestive way. We, women, know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way,” she stated.
She also claimed that Akpabio made another suggestive comment inside the Senate chamber when he noticed she was not wearing her wedding ring.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct” following a disagreement with Akpabio over seating arrangements.
The controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan, raised concerns over the Senate’s handling of key legislative matters. Tensions between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio reportedly escalated over time, culminating in a disagreement about seating arrangements in the chamber.
Natasha’s Suspension
In response to her allegations, the Senate’s Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, denied that Akpabio ever made sexual advances towards her and dismissed her claim of being silenced.
“Senator Natasha’s legislative activities show this claim is not true,” Nwaebonyi said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has since taken her case to a United Nations forum, calling for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable. The IPU said they must hear from Senate President Akpabio first before taking any action on the matter. Meanwhile, Akpabio had publicly declared that he would not honour any invite form IPU stating that he is not obligated to giving them any explanations.
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