The embattled lawmaker representing Kogi Central at the national assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has revealed fresh sexual innuendoes allegedly made at her by Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Natasha was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” following a seating arrangement face-off with Akpabio.
Her suspension came just a day after she formally submitted a sexual harassment petition against the Senate President on the Senate floor.
In a BBC interview, the lawmaker said Mr Akpabio once referenced her waist.
“There was another time he (Mr Akpabio) made a statement like ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist,” Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged.
She also alleged that Akpabio frequently made inappropriate advances toward her, sometimes in the presence of other senators.
“He would squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” she said.
While recalling a particular incident, she stated, “There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there. And Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?”‘
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during the interview, broke down in tears when asked about the impact of her allegations and the backlash she has faced.
“People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa,” she said, her voice breaking.
“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?”
Moreover, despite the challenges, the senator said she has received support from female parliamentarians across Africa, who have reached out to share their experiences of similar struggles in male-dominated legislative environments.