Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the Red Chamber, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of instructing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to kill her.

She also alleged that the current governor, Usman Ododo, is complicit in the plot.

The revelation comes amidst a plot to recall her from the national assembly.

Last week, some constituents from Kogi Central submitted a recall petition against her to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The commission is expected to verify the signatures attached to the petition. According to INEC regulations, the recall process requires more than half of the registered voters in the senatorial district to sign the petition. If this threshold is met, a referendum must be conducted within 90 days.

Under INEC’s recall guidelines, if the petition garners sufficient support, the commission will issue a public notice specifying the time, date, and location of the referendum.

Given the complexity and cost of a recall process, political analysts suggest that the move to unseat Akpoti-Uduaghan may be politically motivated and backed by influential figures.

The recall effort follows a series of controversies involving the senator, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after a dispute with Senate President Akpabio.

Addressing her supporters during a rally in her hometown of Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, Kogi State, on Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the attempt to recall her was plotted by Akpabio in connivance with other leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She said, “Let me say this now. On the 14th of March at 10:30 p.m.—mind you, two days before that, on the 12th—Akpabio spoke to Governor Ododo to recall me. But he told him it would be impossible because the masses are with her, the people are with her. But Akpabio was not satisfied.

“He then called for Yahaya Bello. And it was actually Senator Asuquo (Asuquo Ekpenyong, Cross River South) from Cross River who drove Yahaya Bello from Hilton Hotel. I was informed of everything. And when I got to know—hold on. The meeting was in two parts. He told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it. Of course, money changed hands that night.

“The second thing he told him was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I wrote to the IG of Police. And Akpabio told Yahaya Bello—I am standing on what I’ve said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should be done here so it will seem as if it’s the people that killed me here. I didn’t make that public, but we did notify the security agencies of that.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi ‘Central) has urged the public to ignore the viral report claiming that she apologised to the Senate.

Natasha in a statement on Monday titled, “Re-purported apology to the Senate over my sexual allegations claim against Senate President Godswill Akpabio”, said, “I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stand firm in my resolve to never apologise for speaking my truth.”

She also said her six-month suspension is a “clear case of political victimisation”, but stressed that she would not be deterred.

Natasha was suspended by the Senate for six months recently for alleged gross misconduct, days after a face-off with Akpabio over a change of sitting arrangement in the chambers during plenary.

She consequently, accused Akpabio of making sexual advances at her and later petitioned the United Nations over the issue.

The Kogi Senator in the statement said, “I will continue to fight for the rights of Nigerian women and ensure that our voices are heard.

“The desperation to silence me is palpable, but I will not be intimidated. The games being played in full view of the Nigerian people will be exposed, and the corrupt individuals who have hijacked our institutions will be held accountable.

“As a senator, I have a duty to represent my constituents and uphold the principles of justice and transparency. My allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio were not made lightly, and I will continue to seek justice and accountability, no matter the cost.

“I urge the public to ignore the viral report claiming that I apologised to the Senate, as it is entirely false. I will continue to stand by my truth and fight for what is right, even in the face of adversity.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio is reportedly considering stepping down temporarily as part of a plan to clear his name of sexual harassment allegations while paving the way for the indefinite suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Sources within the Senate revealed that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions (SCEPPP) will conduct an investigation into the allegations against Akpabio.

The panel is expected to officially exonerate him before recommending the indefinite suspension of Senator Natasha, who accused him of sexual harassment amid a dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber.

Insiders in the federal legislature, reveal that both Akpabio and Natasha are set to appear before the committee in the coming days. The alleged plan is to have Akpabio step aside briefly “to fulfil all righteousness,” only for the committee to clear him of all wrongdoing. This will then be followed by Natasha’s suspension for the remainder of her tenure.

The investigation will be led by Senator Neda Imasuen. It is alleged that the recent statements by Senator Ireti Kingibe and Senate Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwebonyi are part of this well-made plan.

Kingibe, who initially criticized Natasha for her reaction to the seat reassignment, has now pledged to support an investigation into the sexual harassment claim.

“First, I would like to assure Nigerians that I will be at the forefront to champion the sexual harassment case involving my colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan when the investigation comes to the red chamber.

“I am aware of the narrative that has been going around, and to set the record straight, my actions were not to undermine her claims, but to buttress that I was not aware in the first place of any such happenings. Notwithstanding, I remain steadfast in the fight against all forms of violence against girls and women,” her statement on Friday said.

Meanwhile, Nwebonyi, during an interview with Channels Television, confirmed that both Akpabio and Natasha would appear before the investigative panel, along with other senators who were present during the alleged incident.

A top Senate source disclosed that the goal is to ensure Natasha remains suspended for the rest of her tenure.

“The plan currently being orchestrated is to suspend Senator Natasha till the end of her tenure in 2027. The report of the panel is already being prepared, and the panel itself is just a formality.

“Akpabio will announce that he is stepping down temporarily to face investigation. After a few hours, the committee will declare him innocent, and Natasha will be suspended indefinitely,” the source revealed.

The conflict between the two senators escalated after Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in December 2023. According to her, Akpabio held her hand, led her around his house, and made inappropriate advances—even in the presence of her husband.

Prior to that, Natasha had refused to accept a new seat in the chamber. She was eventually suspended for six months over what the Senate labelled as “misconduct.”

The decision was based on a report by the Senate Ethics Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen.

Following her suspension, she was restrained from coming close to the Senate building. She was also instructed to surrender all official property to the Clerk of the National Assembly, among other penalties.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central has been urged to seek professional help and therapy following her outburst on the floor of the Senate two weeks ago.

The call was made on Tuesday, March 11, to Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Women Crusade for Good Governance (NWCGG) representing 100 women groups.

The women groups led by Cecilia Ikechukwu also tendered an unreserved apology to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio over the actions of Akpoti-Uduaghan, including a asexual harassment allegation against him.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, Ikechukwu said the Kogi lawmaker’s action brought noting but embarrassment to Nigerian women, especially those in places of leadership.

Accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of having a history of levelling false allegations against men in power, Ikechukwu appreciated Akpabio for his commitment to good governance and his support for women’s inclusion in politics.

She said, “We strongly urge Senator Natasha to use this time to seek professional therapy. It is evident that she is struggling with deep-seated issues that need to be addressed if she is to function properly in any leadership capacity.

“There are countless women who have served with distinction and have never stopped inspiring future generations. Women in public offices must understand that the position comes with a duty to inspire and not to embarrass. We must not allow the actions of one individual to define the collective achievements of women in leadership,” Ikechukwu added.

She also called on Nigerians across the globe to remain steadfast in their support for women in leadership positions and good governance.