Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central at the national assembly, has described the Nigerian Senate as a “cult” where lawmakers are reluctant to express opposing views due to fear of victimization.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is one of only four women among the 109 senators, made these claims during an interview with the BBC.
She also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and alleged that her recent suspension was a designed to silence her.
The lawmaker was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct” following an altercation with Akpabio over seating arrangements.
“I am being victimized. My suspension is a means of silencing me,” she told BBC’s Yemisi Adegoke.
Recounting her experience, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances during a visit to his country home, with her husband present.
“He was taking me around his house, and my husband was walking behind us. He held my hand and squeezed it in a suggestive way,” she claimed. “We women know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way.”
She further alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate comments in the Senate chamber, recalling an instance when she forgot to wear her wedding ring.
“There were about five senators present, and he said, ‘Oh Natasha, you’re not wearing your ring. Is this an invitation to treat?’ Comments like these were frequent,” she added.
However, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Senate’s Deputy Chief Whip, denied the allegations.
He told the BBC that there was no instance where Akpabio made sexual advances toward Akpoti-Uduaghan, either in his residence or in the Senate chamber.
Nwaebonyi also refuted her claim of being silenced, stating, “Senator Natasha’s legislative activities show this claim is not true.”
The allegations have stirred mixed reactions, with some questioning the treatment of female lawmakers in the Senate and others defending the integrity of the Senate leadership.