Suspended lawmaker Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has likened the Nigerian Senate to a “cult,” alleging that lawmakers fear speaking out due to possible retaliation.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was recently suspended for gross misconduct, also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Speaking about her suspension, which was enforced on March 6, 2025, following a seating arrangement dispute with Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed it was an attempt to silence her.
“I am being victimized. My suspension is a means of silencing me,” she stated.
She went on to detail an alleged incident of sexual harassment, which she claimed took place at Akpabio’s country home.
“It happened moment after moment while we were at his home. He was giving me a tour, my husband was walking behind us. He held my hand and then squeezed it in a suggestive way. As women, we know what that means.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused Akpabio of making inappropriate remarks, recalling an incident at work when she was not wearing her wedding ring.
“He said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring, is this an invitation to treat?’ Statements like that,” she recounted.
In response, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Senate’s Deputy Chief Whip, dismissed the sexual harassment claims, insisting that Akpabio never made any advances towards Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Nwaebonyi also rejected the notion that the Senate was attempting to silence her.
“Senator Natasha’s legislative activities show this claim is not true,” he told the BBC, arguing that her conduct in the Senate did not support her allegations of retaliation.
