Senator Natasha Akpoti of Kogi Central has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio has been victimizing her for rejecting his sexual advances.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Akpoti claimed that she has faced harassment, denial of privileges, and political obstruction due to her refusal to engage in a personal relationship with Akpabio.
According to her, the Senate President deliberately blocked a motion she sponsored as part of a broader pattern of retaliation.
“For standing my ground, I have been maligned, victimized, and sidelined in Senate proceedings,” she stated.
The rift between the two lawmakers has been increasingly visible, with a recent altercation over seating arrangements on the Senate floor adding to the tension.
Akpoti’s allegations come amid growing scrutiny of internal Senate dynamics, raising concerns about power abuse and gender discrimination in Nigeria’s legislative body.
Senator Akpoti criticised the Senate President for denying her the opportunity to speak under Order 10, despite the rule allowing senators to raise concerns about their privileges at any time.
READ ALSO: Senate refers Senator Natasha to ethics committee over seating dispute
She explained that once a senator invokes Order 10, they must be heard, even if they are physically restrained on the Senate floor.
According to her, the Senate President should have either referred her complaint to the Ethics and Privileges Committee or overruled it, instead of ordering her removal from the chamber and preparing for her suspension.
Akpoti stated that she has endured humiliation and victimization in the Senate, and this latest incident was simply the tipping point.
She revealed that her ordeal began on December 8, 2023, during a visit to Akwa Ibom, where the Senate President allegedly held her hand and suggested they spend time together in his house.
She narrated: “Once I invoked Order 10, the Senate President ought to have allowed me to speak. He could have exercised his discretion by referring the complaint to the Ethics and Privileges Committee or by overruling it, but he failed to do so. Instead, he ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove me from the chamber and prepare for my suspension.
“I have previously mentioned that I have been dehumanized and maligned in the Senate. I believe this situation was simply the last straw. Many people are unaware of what I am about to reveal, and I am going to speak my truth while allowing the Senate President to respond if he chooses.
“It all began on December 8, 2023, a day before both my birthday and his. We were in Akwa Ibom when he held my hand and told me he wanted to show me around his house. My husband was walking behind us.
“I noticed that he quickened his pace while still holding my hand. When we reached a particular sitting room, he asked, ‘Do you like my house?’ I responded, ‘Of course, sir, every room is beautiful.’ He then said, ‘Now that you are a senator, I will create time for us to come here and spend quality moments together—you will enjoy it.’
“As I turned to check if my husband had heard the remark, the Senate President also turned and said, ‘Let me show you my chapel as well.’
“That evening, we left his house around 11 PM. My husband later asked me what the Senate President had told me. I debated whether to tell him about the Senate President’s comment about ‘having a good time’ or to let it go, knowing how much my husband admired him.
READ ALSO: Drama in Senate as Natasha confronts Akpabio over seat reassignment (VIDEO)
“In February, I attempted to move a motion for an investigation into anti-corruption practices at Ajaokuta Steel Company. I submitted the motion five times, but it was only approved on the sixth attempt. Many senators can confirm this. Each time it was listed, the Senate President would say, ‘Senator Natasha, we can’t take this motion because it is not in the best interest of the Senate.’
“After several rejections, I went to his office and said, ‘You know how important the Ajaokuta Steel Company is to me and my people. I have noticed that you have repeatedly stepped down my motion.’ He responded, ‘Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate. You could benefit greatly if you take care of me and make me happy.’
“At that moment, I pretended not to hear his comment. He then said, ‘The ball is in your court.’ When I got home, I told my husband to speak to the Senate President about allowing my motion to go through.
“This is similar to when a student continuously fails a course because they refuse to sleep with a lecturer. That is exactly what I have been facing in the Senate.
“Regarding the nightclub incident, I do not believe it was a slip of the tongue. He had previously suggested that there were different ways we could ‘have fun’ if we travelledd together.”
