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SCANDAL IN THE SENATE: Akpabio Breaks Silence on Natasha’s Harassment Allegations, Says He’s Traumatised

By Achimi Muktar

The Nigerian Senate is engulfed in controversy as Senate President Godswill Akpabio has spoken out for the first time about the sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. According to Akpabio, the allegations have caused deep distress, not just for him personally, but for the entire Senate, which he says has been unfairly dragged into a damaging scandal.

Speaking at an event marking International Women’s Day (IWD), Akpabio dismissed the allegations as a calculated attack, questioning why they only surfaced after Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned from her role as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content. “Nobody heard of any harassment until after her seat was changed,” he said, implying political motives behind the claims.
The Allegations and Suspension Drama

On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his Uyo residence in December 2023. However, the Senate leadership insists her recent suspension has nothing to do with these allegations. Instead, they argue that she was suspended for violating Senate rules and displaying "unruly conduct."

According to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a direct result of her refusal to comply with Senate Standing Orders, including failing to sit in her assigned seat, speaking out of turn, and making disrespectful remarks against the Senate leadership.

Bamidele criticized the media for pushing a misleading narrative: “It is completely untrue to suggest her suspension was due to harassment claims. The Senate has clear procedures, and her petition was dismissed because it failed to meet the required standards.”
Akpabio Claps Back at Critics

Akpabio did not hold back against critics who have accused the Senate of unfairly silencing Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a fiery speech, he slammed those making uninformed statements about Senate proceedings. “People who don’t even understand the rules of the Senate are running commentaries on television like football analysts,” he said.

He also suggested that external forces were trying to manipulate the situation. “I hear voices from Adamawa, Kwara, and the Southwest being used for something they don’t even understand,” he remarked, insinuating a political plot against his leadership.
Supporters and Calls for Reconciliation

Despite the controversy, some political figures are calling for peace. Former Bayelsa State Governor and sitting Senator Seriake Dickson visited Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband in Abuja, promising to mediate the conflict. “Having heard her side of the story, I will discuss with my colleagues on how to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum has thrown its weight behind Akpabio, warning that any attempt to destabilize his leadership would have consequences. The group’s leader, Jonathan Lokpobiri, also called for urgent intervention in the political crisis in Rivers State and raised concerns about abandoned infrastructure projects in the Niger Delta.
Political Distraction or a Cry for Justice?

As the scandal continues to unfold, opinions remain divided. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters see her as a victim of political suppression, while Akpabio’s allies view the allegations as a desperate attempt to discredit his leadership.

Regardless of the truth, the drama has put a spotlight on power dynamics, gender relations, and internal conflicts within the Nigerian Senate. The question remains: Is this a genuine fight for justice, or just another political chess game?