Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has claimed that her suspension from the Senate was a consequence of rejecting sexual advances made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
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In a candid interview with Sky News, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her belief that the suspension was both unlawful and an attempt to silence her voice for speaking out against Akpabio’s alleged harassment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following a disagreement with Akpabio over seating arrangements. However, she argued that her suspension was not due to any misconduct, but rather because she filed a petition about the sexual harassment she endured.
“They said I was suspended for gross misconduct, but can they provide exactly what the gross misconduct was that led to a six-month suspension, just a day after I submitted a petition?” she asked. “They suspended me because of that petition, not because of any misconduct.”
The senator also addressed the matter of seating arrangements, stating that she was simply asked to move her seat, but she refused, believing she deserved proper notification and a chance to explain why she should retain her seat.
Akpoti-Uduaghan pointed out the double standard in the Senate, where male colleagues often engage in disruptive behavior, such as fighting and throwing chairs, yet face no suspension. She emphasized the systemic silence and intimidation that women in politics often face.
“Why? Because they are men? Our culture perpetuates a silence where women are expected to sit pretty, to be seen and not heard,” she said.
The senator further claimed that Akpabio denied her the rights of a lawmaker after she refused his advances, stating that her refusal led to a “malicious” campaign against her. She described how Akpabio would delay her motions and claims he suggested that she needed to please him in order to get her bills passed.
“I found the courage to speak up. Moving me from that seat became the breaking point. Silently, I have had to endure a whole lot,” Akpoti-Uduaghan explained. “Things got difficult for me… each time I walked to him alone, he’d tell me, ‘I’m the chief presiding officer of the national assembly, you have to make me happy to get these privileges.’”
Akpabio has denied the allegations of sexual harassment.
In a separate interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan elaborated on the inappropriate advances she allegedly faced from Akpabio, claiming he would often make suggestive gestures and comments in the presence of other senators.
“He would squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” she recalled. “There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work, and there were about five senators there. Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?’”
She also recalled another instance when Akpabio made a sexually charged comment about her marriage. “He said, ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist.’ He makes such sexist statements, and then they all laughed.”
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