The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have continued their war of words following the lawmaker’s suspension by the Senate.
Akpabio accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making baseless allegations to cause turmoil, while the senator fired back, urging him to submit to an investigation over claims of sexual harassment.
The controversy erupted two weeks ago when Akpoti-Uduaghan resisted the relocation of her seat during plenary. The situation escalated when she later appeared on live television, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment.
Days later, the Senate suspended her for six months, citing gross misconduct. However, rights groups and political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, condemned the decision, warning against silencing female voices in politics.
Akpabio: Natasha’s Allegations Are Malicious
Speaking at an International Women’s Day event, Akpabio dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, describing them as another in a series of “false and traumatic allegations.”
“It was only after her seat and committee were changed that these accusations emerged,” he said. “No one, not even her husband, heard anything about harassment until then. Have you ever wondered about the damage these allegations cause to the Senate’s image?”
The Senate President also referenced previous accusations made by the Kogi lawmaker, which he claimed were never substantiated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan Hits Back, Calls for Investigation
Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyer Victor Giwa, insisted that Akpabio must be investigated, highlighting that a similar accusation was previously made against him by former NDDC Managing Director, Joy Nunieh.
“If Akpabio is innocent, he should submit himself for investigation,” Giwa stated. “Why are there two separate allegations of sexual harassment against him?”
Giwa also accused the Senate President of using his position to victimise Akpoti-Uduaghan, including allegedly blocking her from international engagements and forcing her to fund her own official trips.
Senate Defends Suspension
Amid growing backlash, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was not related to her harassment claims but rather her “disruptive behaviour” during plenary.
He said she was sanctioned for defying seating arrangements, speaking without recognition, and making “abusive and disrespectful remarks” towards the Senate leadership.
Legal Threats and Calls for Reform
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Funmi Falana, condemned the suspension, describing it as “a disgraceful display of power” and a violation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to a fair hearing. She threatened to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee if the suspension was not reversed.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is considering a bill to regulate the suspension of lawmakers, seeking a constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds majority before any senator or representative can be suspended.
Bauchi lawmaker Mansur Soro urged the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, arguing that the people of Kogi Central should not be punished for a dispute between two senators.
As the political drama unfolds, pressure mounts on the Senate to reconsider its decision, while calls for a fair and transparent investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations continue to gain traction.