Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, claiming she endured his advances for over a year. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sky News, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that her suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025, was a direct retaliation for her outcry against Akpabio’s misconduct. She insisted that the suspension was unjust, describing it as an attempt to silence her.
According to the senator, Akpabio repeatedly told her that to enjoy her privileges as a senator, she had to “please him.” Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that the harassment became malicious when she resisted his advances, leading to deprivation of her rights as a senator. The breaking point, she said, came when she was moved from her original seat in the Senate, an action she described as a public humiliation.
In response, Ebira indigenes have ramped up efforts to recall the embattled senator. They argue that her actions have caused international embarrassment, with some accusing her of spreading propaganda. The Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF) issued a statement asserting that the recall process is ongoing and has the backing of the majority of voters in the district. They dismissed claims from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Kogi State, Hale Longpet, who had denied any knowledge of the recall process.
The constituents insisted that the recall was not politically motivated, adding that their decision was based on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged disrespect for the Senate and its rules. They emphasized that the matter of her seat assignment in the Senate should not have escalated into the national embarrassment caused by the sexual harassment allegations.
As the recall movement gains traction, the Senate faces pressure to address the allegations and the subsequent fallout. The ongoing controversy highlights the growing tensions surrounding sexual harassment claims and the complex dynamics within Nigeria’s political landscape.
