Senator representing Kogi Central Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of making repeated sexually suggestive comments toward her, both in and out of the Senate chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations come just weeks after she was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct and unruly behaviour” following a seating arrangement dispute with Akpabio. Her suspension occurred a day after she filed a sexual harassment petition against the Senate President.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan reiterated her claim that the suspension was a cover-up aimed at silencing her. She stated that Akpabio had frequently made sexual advances toward her, sometimes in front of other senators, and that these comments made her feel uncomfortable and humiliated.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, one such incident occurred when she forgot to wear her wedding ring to work. Akpabio allegedly remarked, “Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?” In another instance, she claimed Akpabio made a comment about her marriage, saying, “Your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist,” a statement she described as both inappropriate and sexist.
Akpoti-Uduaghan recalled that these comments were often met with laughter from other senators, further intensifying her sense of humiliation. “There was a time I was in the room with about five senators, and Akpabio made these comments. It was like everyone was just laughing,” she shared.
Tearfully, Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke about the toll these experiences have had on her, expressing the emotional and psychological burden of enduring what she sees as victim-shaming and intimidation. “People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa,” she said, wiping away tears. “I just want a place where I can work without this.”
However, despite the distress, Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that she has received support from female parliamentarians across Africa, many of whom have reached out to express solidarity, sharing similar experiences of dealing with a male-dominated, sexually charged political environment in their own countries.
In response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Senate’s Deputy Chief Whip, told the BBC that the claims were unfounded. Nwaebonyi insisted that Akpabio had never made any inappropriate comments or gestures toward the senator, either in the Senate or in his home. He also dismissed the idea that the Senate was trying to silence her, citing her active participation in legislative affairs.
On March 5, Akpabio himself had denied the accusations, calling them baseless. “At no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman for that matter,” Akpabio stated in the Senate chamber. He also highlighted his strong respect for women, explaining that he was raised by a single mother and had the highest regard for women.
As the dispute continues to unfold, the allegations have sparked widespread discussion on the prevalence of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Nigeria’s political sphere, particularly in the context of women in leadership.
