Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has described the Nigerian Senate as operating like a cult, claiming that many lawmakers are afraid to express their views for fear of victimization.
She made this statement during an interview with the BBC, where she revisited allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This comes after Natasha took the matter to the United Nations, seeking justice over what she described as mistreatment. Since the allegations surfaced, Akpabio has received overwhelming support from fellow senators, leading to Natasha’s suspension from the Senate for six months.
Allegations Against Akpabio
During the interview, Natasha claimed that her colleagues in the Senate were afraid to speak against Akpabio due to fear of retaliation.
“I am being victimized. My suspension is a means of silencing me,” she stated.
Detailing her accusations, she recalled an incident at Akpabio’s country home.
“We were at his country home. He was taking me around his house. My husband was walking behind us. He held my hand. Then he squeezed my hands in a very suggestive way. We women, we know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way,” she said.
“And he went, ‘Now that you’re in the Senate, I’ll make an opportunity for us to come here and have a good moment.’”
She also mentioned an incident where she arrived at work without her wedding ring.
“There were about five senators there, and Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring, is this an invitation to treat?’ Statements like this,” she added.
Senate’s Response
The Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, denied Natasha’s claims, stating that Akpabio never made any inappropriate advances toward her, either in his country home or within the Senate chamber.
“There was never a time Akpabio made sexual advances towards Akpoti-Uduaghan,” he said.
Nwaebonyi also dismissed Natasha’s claim that the Senate was trying to silence her.
“Senator Natasha’s legislative activities show this claim is not true,” he added.
The controversy continues to fuel debate, with Natasha maintaining her stance that she is being unfairly targeted, while the Senate leadership insists that her suspension is based on disciplinary grounds rather than political suppression.
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