Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Speaks Out Against Alleged Harassment By Senate President Akpabio

Breaking Silence: Senator Natasha Shares Her Story

In a bold move, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has come forward to reveal the true reason behind her suspension from the Senate. She claims it was not due to any misconduct but rather her rejection of alleged sexual advances from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This revelation sheds light on the underbelly of power dynamics and gender inequality within Nigeria's political sphere.

During an exclusive interview with Sky News, Senator Natasha opened up about her ordeal. She admitted that speaking out wasn’t easy—it took immense courage to face the potential backlash. But she felt it was necessary to expose what she believes is a systemic issue of harassment and discrimination against women in Nigerian politics.

The Suspension: What Really Happened?

On March 6, Senator Natasha was suspended for six months on charges of "gross misconduct." The official reason given was a disagreement over seating arrangements, but Natasha insists that this was merely a cover-up for deeper issues. She argues that the suspension was unlawful and unfair, aimed at silencing her after she filed a petition detailing the harassment she faced.

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“They say I was suspended for gross misconduct, but can they tell me exactly what that misconduct was?” Natasha questions passionately. “It’s suspicious that the suspension came the day after I submitted a petition detailing the harassment. They suspended me because of that petition, not because of any misconduct.”

She adds, “They wanted me to move my seat without giving me proper notification or a chance to explain why I should keep it. I refused because I deserved respect and fair treatment as a senator.”

Highlighting Gender Inequality in the Senate

Senator Natasha draws attention to the stark contrast in how male senators are treated compared to their female counterparts. She points out that her male colleagues often engage in disruptive behaviors like fighting and throwing chairs, yet they face no consequences for such actions.

“Is it because they’re men?” she asks rhetorically. “In our culture, there’s this intertwined silence, harassment, fear, and intimidation. Women are expected to sit pretty, be seen but not heard. That’s exactly what I’m fighting against.”

Allegations of Retaliation

According to Natasha, Senate President Akpabio retaliated against her for rejecting his advances by systematically undermining her work as a lawmaker. She recounts multiple instances where her motions were blocked, and her requests were ignored.

“He would repeatedly tell me, ‘You know what, right here, I’m the chief presiding officer of the national assembly, so you have to please me, make me happy to get these privileges,’” Natasha recalls. “This wasn’t a one-time occurrence; it happened several times. And when I refused, it developed into outright malice.”

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She explains how this hostility affected her ability to serve her constituents. “Things got difficult for me. Every time I had a motion to pass, he wouldn’t allow it. Even my husband, who’s friends with Akpabio, would approach him on my behalf, saying, ‘My wife has an important bill for her constituency. Can you give her a chance to speak?’ And Akpabio would just say, ‘Next time.’”

Akpabio Denies Allegations

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has firmly denied all allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha. He insists that no such advances were ever made and maintains that her suspension was based solely on her conduct in the Senate.

This case has sparked widespread debate about the treatment of women in Nigerian politics and the importance of addressing power imbalances in leadership positions. As Senator Natasha continues to fight for justice, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the need for accountability and equality in every corner of society.