The Nigerian Senate has strongly denied any connection between its President, Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
According to the Senate’s media spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the dispute involves only the Senate as an institution, not its leader personally.
Speaking on Channels Television, Adaramodu emphasized that the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan was based on established Senate rules.
He stated, “There’s nothing subsisting between the Senate President and our colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. It is about the Senate, not about the Senate President”.
Suspension and Denied Access: The Senate’s Firm Stand
The matter escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to return to the National Assembly with a crowd described by the Senate as a “mob multitude.”
She reportedly carried placards, flags, and chanted provocative slogans.
This, according to Adaramodu, justified the continued refusal to grant her access.
He clarified, “The only place senators can access is the chamber, the hallowed chamber, and we never allow anything that smokes like illegality in there.
The suspension subsists, and she should not be allowed access to the National Assembly”.
The Shadow of Sexual Harassment Allegations
What the Senate spokespeople avoid highlighting is how deeply controversial and personal this feud has become.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment a serious claim that has polarised the nation.
The accusation first surfaced in February 2025, with Akpoti-Uduaghan alleging unwelcome advances from Akpabio at his office and residence in Akwa Ibom State.
She described her ordeal starkly, likening it to “a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him”.
Akpabio has consistently denied these allegations, calling them baseless and defamatory.
A Clash of Power and Gender Politics
The saga pits systemic power structures against a lone woman challenging the status quo within Nigeria’s political elite.
After Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension on March 6, the Senate justified the decision on procedural grounds, saying she brought “shame” to the legislative body.
The punishment sparked widespread protests inside and outside the Senate complex.
Crowds divided, some chanting support for Akpabio, others urging justice for Akpoti-Uduaghan and calling on the Senate President to resign.
Internationalising the Conflict: Akpoti-Uduaghan Takes Fight to the UN
In March 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated the confrontation beyond Nigerian borders.
At the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting held at the United Nations in New York, she accused the Nigerian Senate of political victimisation and intimidation.
She called for international intervention, urging human rights bodies and global democratic institutions to apply pressure for investigations into her allegations and the treatment of women in Nigerian politics.
Her speech labelled the suspension an attempt by powerful men to silence her dissent.
Senate’s Legal Countermove and Media War
Akpabio’s legal team has challenged the credibility of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims.
Lawyers argue the accusations contain inconsistencies, particularly regarding timelines and personal social media posts that seemingly contradict her allegations.
They have requested stronger evidence to substantiate the sexual harassment claims.
Despite the Senate’s insistence on institutional process, the fight has largely played out in the media and on public platforms rather than behind closed doors.
This high-profile dispute exposes the delicate tension between individual rights and institutional reputation in Nigerian governance.
Who Really Holds Power in Senate Affairs?
The Senate’s denial of any link between Akpabio and the case fails to convince many Nigerians.
Observers see a deliberate attempt to shield the Senate President from accountability.
The institution’s quick suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan before an independent inquiry raises questions about fairness and transparency.
Moreover, the Senate’s refusal to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return, justified by her allegedly “mob-like” approach, appears selective.
Critics argue that other senators have conducted far more disruptive protests without facing such harsh treatment.
The Bigger Picture: Gender, Politics, and Justice in Nigeria
Beyond personalities, this controversy highlights systemic issues within Nigeria’s political landscape.
The abuse of power, institutional sexism, and the chilling effect on women daring to expose misconduct.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bold stand, her escalation to international forums.
The refusal to back down despite suspension illustrate the courage needed to confront entrenched patriarchy in Nigerian politics.
However, the Senate’s response marked by denial, suspension, and legal counterattacks signals the challenges victims face when powerful figures dominate political structures.
The case reeks of political theatre, manipulating legalism to silence inconvenient voices.
Accountability or Cover-up?
The tangled conflict involving Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan serves as a microcosm of Nigerian political dysfunction.
If justice is to be served, a transparent, independent investigation into these serious allegations is imperative.
Anything short of that fuels accusations of cover-up and reinforces the perception of a legislature unwilling to police its own.
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