Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has accused his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, of misrepresenting the Senate’s position during her report at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York. Akpabio said the Kogi Central Senator embarrassed the Senate by presenting a distorted version of the events surrounding her suspension.
Natasha had attended the IPU meeting earlier in the week, where she told the international community that her suspension from the Senate was due to the sexual harassment allegations she had made against Akpabio. However, in a strong response following a Senate plenary on Thursday, Akpabio rejected Natasha’s claims, calling them misleading.
According to Akpabio, Natasha’s actions were an attempt to damage the reputation of the Senate by spreading false information. He emphasized that Natasha’s suspension was not linked to her accusations of sexual harassment, but rather to misconduct unrelated to the issue. He stated that she had bypassed the Senate’s ethical committee and taken the matter directly to court and to the international stage, which, according to him, created a false narrative.
Akpabio’s statement came after a vote of confidence was passed by the Senate, with Senators voicing their support for his leadership despite the ongoing controversy. During the plenary, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also weighed in on the issue, clarifying that the matter referred to the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee had nothing to do with sexual harassment. He explained that the committee was dealing with a petition related to Natasha’s conduct, and the claims of sexual harassment were not part of the Senate’s consideration.
Bamidele urged the public not to be misled by media reports and to understand that the Senate’s actions were based on its established rules and procedures. He noted that the Senate had a duty to ensure that its rules were respected and that its work continued without distractions, especially in the face of public scrutiny. He also pointed out that the matter was now in court and that the Senate was not in violation of the law.
The issue of Natasha’s suspension has caused a significant stir in Nigerian politics, with many people questioning the Senate’s handling of the situation. Some critics have accused the Senate of bias in its treatment of Natasha, especially considering her claims of sexual harassment against Akpabio. However, Akpabio and other members of the Senate have consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that Natasha’s suspension was based on her misconduct and not her accusations.
Senator Natasha, for her part, has maintained that her suspension was indeed a retaliation for her efforts to bring attention to the issue of sexual harassment. She has vowed to continue her fight, taking the matter to both the court and international bodies like the IPU. Her actions at the IPU, where she presented her version of the events, have sparked a wider conversation about gender equality and the treatment of women in Nigerian politics.
For now, the matter remains unresolved, with the Senate defending its actions and Natasha continuing to challenge the suspension. As the legal proceedings unfold, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the situation develops.
In his speech, Akpabio also acknowledged the importance of keeping the Senate’s focus on its legislative duties, despite the distractions. He thanked his colleagues for their support and urged them to stay focused on the country’s pressing issues. He made it clear that the Senate would not allow itself to be sidetracked by individual disputes, and would continue to work for the progress of Nigeria.
As the Senate moves forward, it remains to be seen how the allegations and the suspension will be resolved. What is clear is that the controversy has added to the already heated political atmosphere in the country, with both supporters and critics of the Senate’s actions voicing strong opinions. For now, the Senate leadership is firm in its stance, while Natasha continues to assert that justice has not been served in her case. The public, however, remains divided on who is telling the truth.
