Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made serious allegations against the Nigerian Senate, describing it as a “secret society” where lawmakers are intimidated into silence by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that senators are too afraid to voice differing opinions for fear of losing opportunities, privileges, and their ability to speak in the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan further accused the Senate leadership of creating a culture of fear, where any criticism of the Senate President or opposing his views could result in retaliation, including being sidelined from parliamentary activities.
“There is this culture of fear among the senators. If you dare to criticise the Senate President or express a differing opinion, you risk having all opportunities blocked, and you will not be allowed to speak,” she said.
In addition to the claims of intimidation, Akpoti-Uduaghan made explosive allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio.
She recounted an incident where she was teased by Akpabio and five other senators for not wearing her wedding ring, with comments that included, “Is there another way of betraying your husband?” and “Your husband seems to be enjoying you… you might be able to twist that beautiful waist of yours.”
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the comments were made in a public Senate session, with others laughing along.
When questioned about the validity of her allegations, Akpoti-Uduaghan affirmed that she has evidence to support her claims of misconduct.
She also referenced a previous incident where Akpabio allegedly made advances toward her, suggesting a pattern of inappropriate behaviour.
The accusations have sparked controversy, with Senate Deputy Majority Leader Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi vehemently denying the allegations.
Nwebonyi dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, insisting that there was no attempt by the Senate President to harass or intimidate her either privately or during Senate proceedings.
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“Natasha’s behaviour in the Senate does not reflect that. There was never a time the Senate President made any attempt to harass Senator Akpoti at his home or made any inappropriate statements in the Senate,” Nwebonyi said.
Nwebonyi also rejected the notion that the Senate functions as a “cult,” where members are silenced or gagged by leadership.
He maintained that the Senate operates as a space for free debate and that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s account was inaccurate.
The conflict between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President escalated after she was suspended for six months on March 6, following a heated altercation over a seating arrangement she believed was intended to undermine her.
The suspension was announced after a confrontation between the two, which Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed stemmed from her refusal of Akpabio’s alleged advances.
In the wake of her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated her claims to the international stage, lodging a petition with the United Nations’ Inter-Parliamentary Union. She accused the Nigerian Senate of political victimisation and called for international intervention to hold the Senate accountable.
The senator also highlighted a series of punitive measures imposed upon her following her suspension, including withdrawal of security, salary cuts, and a ban from the National Assembly for six months.
The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension continues to attract national and international attention, as the Kogi senator demands accountability for what she describes as political and gender-based retaliation.
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