Atedo Peterside, the founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, calling it both “illegal” and disrespectful to the people she represents. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Peterside expressed his outrage at the six-month suspension, arguing that it undermines not only Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights as a senator but also the trust and faith her constituents have placed in her.
“The most disturbing aspect of the Nigeria Senate hullabaloo around @NatashaAkpoti is that the Senate Leadership must be aware that her suspension for 6 months is ultra vires (beyond their powers) and also disrespectful to her constituents in Kogi State, but they don’t care,” Peterside wrote.
His comments add to a growing wave of concern surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which has become a subject of intense public debate and legal wrangling.
The saga began in late February when Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the reassignment of her seat. On February 20, she publicly protested the move, claiming it was a deliberate attempt to sideline her. Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of discriminatory treatment, leading to a heated argument between the two. In the days that followed, tensions only escalated.
On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan went on national television, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment. She alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her in 2023, and after she rejected him, he retaliated by blocking her motions in the Senate and orchestrating the seat change. Akpoti-Uduaghan said that the suspension was part of a wider attempt to silence her.
Akpabio, however, denied the allegations, and his wife, Ekaette Akpabio, filed a N350 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan in response. Despite this, the Senate leadership moved forward with its decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, citing “gross misconduct” and violations of the Senate’s standing orders. Specifically, the Senate claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan violated rules around seating arrangements, not the harassment accusations.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected the suspension, calling it “unjust” and “illegal”. In a post on her Facebook page on March 7, she argued that the suspension violated principles of natural justice and promised to continue representing her constituents in Kogi Central. “This suspension is an affront to the people of Kogi Central and an attempt to undermine my mandate,” she said.
The senator’s supporters have rallied around her, with many arguing that the suspension is politically motivated and designed to silence her for speaking out. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s vocal criticisms of the Senate leadership and her accusations of sexual harassment against Akpabio have sparked considerable public interest, drawing attention to issues of power, gender, and accountability within the Nigerian political system.
As tensions rise, Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against Akpabio, filing a N100 billion defamation lawsuit. This move signals her intent to clear her name and fight for her right to remain in office. “I will continue to seek justice for the defamation of my character,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said, vowing to fight the legal battle in court.
Atedo Peterside’s public support for Akpoti-Uduaghan has added further weight to her argument. As a prominent businessman and thought leader, Peterside’s criticism of the suspension has garnered significant attention. His comments highlight concerns that the Senate’s actions may not only be politically motivated but also legally questionable.
The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension raises important questions about the role of lawmakers in holding government leaders accountable and the treatment of female politicians in a male-dominated political space. For many of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, her suspension is seen as an attempt to stifle dissent and punish a politician who is not afraid to speak out against the establishment.
Kogi Central, the senator’s constituency, has become a focal point in the debate. Many of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents have expressed outrage at the suspension, with some arguing that it undermines their right to have their representative in the Senate. The senator’s defenders point out that the people of Kogi Central elected her to serve them, and her suspension could leave them without a voice in the Senate for six months.
