Akpabio Once Noticed I Wasn’t Wearing My Ring, Asked Is This Invitation to Treat? – Senator Natasha
Suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has alleged that her recent suspension from the Senate was a calculated effort to suppress her voice and intimidate her into silence. In a recent interview with BBC News on Tuesday, March 18, she opened up about the ordeal, insisting that the six-month suspension was not only unjust but also a means to stifle her advocacy and representation.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 18, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the suspension, which took effect on March 6, as a clear attempt to undermine her position. The Senate had suspended her on the grounds of “gross misconduct” after she reportedly failed to appear before the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee. This decision followed a heated confrontation between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session the previous month.
In a bold revelation, the senator accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her on multiple occasions, both within and outside the Senate premises. Recalling one incident, she claimed that Akpabio held her hand in a suggestive manner during a visit to his country home. “He was giving me a tour of his house while my husband walked behind us. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and squeezed it in a way that felt inappropriate. As women, we understand when a man’s touch carries a different intention,” Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.
According to reports on Tuesday, March 18, the senator also recounted another incident that occurred within the Senate chamber. She described how Akpabio made an inappropriate remark when he noticed she was not wearing her wedding ring one day. “He looked at me and said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring, is this an invitation to treat?’ There were about five senators present at the time,” she recalled.
However, Senate Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi dismissed the allegations as baseless, maintaining that Akpabio had never made any inappropriate advances or comments towards Akpoti-Uduaghan. “Her claims do not reflect reality. Senator Natasha’s legislative record shows that she has consistently engaged in robust debates and made significant contributions. It is unfair to accuse the Senate President without credible evidence,” Nwaebonyi remarked.
The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has sparked widespread debate about how female lawmakers are treated within Nigeria’s political landscape. While some critics argue that internal Senate dynamics lack transparency and accountability, others caution against politicizing disciplinary actions.
As public discourse intensifies, there are renewed calls for better protection and support for female politicians, ensuring that their voices are not silenced by unwarranted actions or unchecked power dynamics.
