UPDATE: Natasha alleges senate trouble started after rejecting Akpabio’s sexual advances

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, has alleged that her difficulties in the Senate commenced when she rebuffed the sexual advances of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpoti-Uduaghan articulated this accusation during an interview with Arise TV on Friday.

“The Senate President erred by not permitting me to speak on Order 10,” Natasha asserted.

“The Senate President possesses the authority to allocate seats, and senators are obliged to comply, but invoking Order 10 signifies that a senator’s privileges have been infringed upon, a matter that can be addressed anytime, anywhere.

“Therefore, when a senator invokes Order 10, even if they are being forcibly removed, they must be heard.

“Upon raising Order 10, the Senate President should have permitted me to speak. He could have exercised discretion by referring the complaint to the Ethics and Privileges Committee or overruling it, yet he failed to do so. Instead, he instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to expel me from the chamber and prepare for my suspension.

“I did state that within the Senate, I have been dehumanized, maligned, and subjected to various indignities, and I believe this incident was merely the final straw.

“Many are unaware of what I am about to disclose, and I intend to present my truth, allowing the Senate President to counter if he wishes.

“It all began on December 8, 2023, the eve of both my birthday and his. We found ourselves in Akwa Ibom, where he clasped my hand, expressing a desire to show me around his residence. My husband trailed behind us.

“I observed that he quickened his pace while still holding my hand and, upon reaching a particular sitting room, inquired, ‘Do you admire my house?’ I responded, ‘Indeed, sir, every room is splendid.’ He then remarked, ‘Now that you are a senator, I shall make time for us to spend quality moments here—you will relish it.’

“Turning to gauge my husband’s reaction, the Senate President also turned and suggested, ‘Let me show you my chapel as well.’

“That evening, we departed his abode around 11 PM, and my husband inquired about the Senate President’s words. I pondered whether to relay his comment about us ‘enjoying time’ there or to dismiss it, knowing my husband’s admiration for him.

“In February, I sought to propose a motion for the investigation of anti-corruption practices at Ajaokuta Steel Company. I listed the motion five times, gaining approval only on the sixth attempt. Numerous senators can corroborate this. Each time it was listed, he would state, ‘Senator Natasha, we cannot entertain this motion as it does not serve the Senate’s interests.’

“Persistently thwarted, I approached his office, expressing, ‘You understand the significance of Ajaokuta Steel Company to me and my constituents. I’ve observed your consistent obstruction of this motion.’ He retorted, ‘Natasha, as the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate, you can enjoy numerous benefits if you cater to my happiness.’

“At that juncture, I decided to feign ignorance of his remark. He then added, ‘The decision rests with you.’ Upon returning home, I advised my husband to discuss with the Senate President to facilitate my motion’s passage.

“It is akin to a student consistently failing due to refusing a lecturer’s advances—that is precisely my experience.

“Regarding the nightclub incident, I am convinced it was no mere slip of the tongue. He had previously suggested various ways we could ‘enjoy ourselves’ during travel.”

On February 20, the lawmaker disrupted the plenary by rejecting her assigned seat, defying Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s directive, and persistently raising a point of order despite being overruled. On Tuesday, the upper chamber referred her to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.

This story is unfolding…