Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan VS The Nigerian Senate 

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday afternoon suspended the senator representing Kogi State Central Senatorial District under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for six months, adding another twist to the rapidly escalating issue between the senator and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio which started off with a sitting arrangement brouhaha in the Nigerian Senate. 

The incident arose from a shuffle to the Senate seating arrangement—a power granted to the Senate President under Section 2(2) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 and Section 11(3) of the Constitution. This authority is typically exercised during party defections. Akpoti-Uduaghan declined to change her sitting position; hence, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to contribute without occupying her newly assigned seat, she was deemed in violation of Senate protocol and removed from the chambers, prompting intervention from other senators.

At the heat of the moment, Akpoti Uduaghan accused Akpabio of victimizing her since the nightclub remark and sexually harassing her. The nightclub incident happened during a plenary session last year, and when she tried to contribute, Akpabio interjected with a pointed remark, insisting she needed recognition before speaking, adding, “This is not a nightclub.” Though he later apologized, claiming he would “never deliberately denigrate a woman,”

In a recent interview with Arise TV, Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that Akpabio had been sexually harassing her. She accused him of making inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023. “On or about the 8th of December 2023, I, in the company of my husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, visited the residence of the Respondent in Akwa Ibom State.” According to her, despite being accompanied by her husband, the Senate President allegedly made inappropriate remarks and suggested that she should “spend quality moment” with him. She added that Akpabio said, “Senator Natasha, you can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her refusal to comply resulted in the repeated removal of her motion on the Ajaokuta Steel Company from the Senate’s Order Paper. She further claimed that Akpabio blocked her motions from being heard on the Senate floor as retaliation for rejecting his advances. Additionally, she asserted that her refusal led to endless harassment, both at Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, and in his office.

Akpabio’s Response

Since the harassment scandal surfaced, the Senate President has addressed the allegations twice. He initially denied them through his media aide, Kenny Okulogbo, who dismissed the claims as a “tissue of lies.” Okulogbo suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations stemmed from frustration over her removal as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content. He added, “The Senate President will respond. We will make an official statement soon.”

Before the start of Wednesday’s plenary session, Akpabio publicly denied the allegations, stating that he could not have harassed a woman. He emphasized his respect for women, citing his beautiful wife, daughters, and sisters, as well as the values instilled in him by his mother.

His response came days after his wife, Uloma Akpabio, defended him and filed a lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan. This was followed by a protest over the weekend by Akwa Ibom women, who accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of tarnishing their son’s reputation with her allegations.

This is yet another addition to the growing list of sexual harassment allegations against Godswill Akpabio. In 2020, while serving as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, he was accused by Joy Nunieh, then Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), of sexual harassment and financial misconduct.

In response, Akpabio sought to discredit Nunieh, questioning her mental stability and temperament and even suggesting she undergo a medical evaluation. He strongly denied the accusations, dismissing them as a “litany of lies,” reaffirming his commitment to ethical conduct, and threatening legal action for defamation—though no lawsuit was ever filed.

What’s The Latest?

During Thursday’s plenary session, the National Assembly suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan. This decision came after she requested to speak but was repeatedly denied recognition throughout the debate.

The Senate President moved directly to a vote, and the Senate ultimately voted to suspend her for six months. This development followed her submission of a petition on Wednesday, in which she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties. She urged the Senate Committee to investigate the allegations and ensure accountability.

The recent six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raises legal concerns, as it contravenes established judicial precedents limiting the suspension duration of lawmakers.

In the case from 2018, the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the 90-day suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, declaring it unconstitutional. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba ruled that while the Senate possesses the authority to discipline its members, suspensions exceeding 14 days violate constitutional provisions. The court emphasized that any suspension surpassing this period is “null and void and unconstitutional.”

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions had earlier dismissed the petition outright, calling it “dead on arrival.” This decision raised concerns about the committee’s willingness to address allegations within its ranks, especially given its previous dismissal of harassment claims against Senator Elisha Abbo.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters had earlier staged a protest, demanding an investigation into her allegations and calling for Akpabio’s resignation. In response, a counter-protest emerged, condemning Akpoti-Uduaghan and dismissing her claims as false accusations against the Senate President.

These events have intensified calls for Akpabio’s resignation to allow for an impartial investigation into the allegations against him.