Natasha

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.

Supporters of Senate President Godswill Akpabio took to the streets of Abuja on Tuesday to protest against allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him.

The protest follows the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused Akpabio of sexual misconduct.

Last week, the Nigerian Senate barred Akpoti-Uduaghan from office for six months, cutting off her allowances and security.

On Wednesday, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed her petition, stating that it violated procedural rules. Her suspension was linked to an earlier dispute over a change in her seating arrangement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, first made the allegation in a television interview on February 28, claiming Akpabio made unwanted sexual advances toward her in 2023.

Akpoti-Uduaghan represents the Kogi Central senatorial district.

Afe Annang, a prominent socio-cultural organization in Annang Nation, Akwa Ibom State, has expressed dissatisfaction with the mere suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate.

The group has called for her recall or replacement by her senatorial district, Kogi Central.

Speaking at a press conference held at the organization’s secretariat in Abak Local Government Area on Thursday evening, the leader of Atai Afe Annang, His Majesty Obong Blaise Awakama, asserted that the senator’s conduct was unacceptable.

“We are not satisfied with only the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. We think her constituency should recall her. She should be given proper advice and orientation or replaced by another person.

“I don’t think that type of conduct is what any Nigerian, let alone a woman, should carry to the Senate,” Obong Awakama stated.

The press conference was convened in response to the controversy surrounding the suspension, which has garnered significant media attention.

Obong Awakama warned against any political plot aimed at undermining Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a respected son of Annang Nation.

“The issues at stake, as we gather from the mass media, include the routine change of seating allocation in the Senate affecting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“She perceives this as offensive and discriminatory, leading her to further allege sexual harassment by the distinguished Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

“How did an ordinary routine change of seating arrangement, arising from the incidence of senators cross-carpeting and necessitating such changes, become an issue of sexual discrimination and harassment?” he questioned.

Reaffirming their support for Akpabio, Awakama stated that every senator represents a constituency, and Akpabio represents both the Annang Nation in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and the entire country as Senate President.

“No female senator should be used as a front to defame him. If there is an organized political plot to ease him out of office, we shall not sit idly by and watch adversaries succeed,” he declared.

The wife of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Unoma, has dismissed claims of sexual harassment against her husband by Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti.

Unoma said Natasha was maligning her husband and “creating content for personal gains”.

Earlier, the lawmaker had accused Akpabio of making sexual advances at her.

Narrating her ordeals, the light skinned lawmaker recalled how the Senate President made sexual advances at her in the presence of her husband.

The Kogi born senator made the allegation on Friday while fielding questions on Arise Television Morning Show programme.

Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio blocked her motions from being heard on the floor of the red chamber because she rejected his advances

However, Unoma while addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, dismissed Natasha’s claims.

The wife of the Senate President described her husband as a disciplined and jovial person who is often misinterpreted.

A former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central at the Nigerian Senate has called for caution in the debacle between the Senate President and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Describing the aftermath of the incident perceived to have started from a seating arrangement order in the Red Chamber as unfortunate, Shehu Sani called for caution from all parties involved in the matter.

He said, “It’s unfortunate,that the senate Issue was simply about seat and now about bed.

“Need for caution and restraint,” Sani wrote on X.

Recall that a brawl had ensued between Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s Senate President and Akpoti-Uduaghan over seating arrangement last week.

However, making an appearance on Arise Television on Friday, the Kogi lawmaker accused the Senate President of making sexual advances towards her.

She added that her problem in the Senate – which allegedly involved harassment and stepping down some of her contributions and proposed bills – stems from refusing the advances Akpabio made towards her.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, has claimed her troubles in the Senate started after she rejected Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s sexual advances.

Speaking during an interview with Arise TV on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan compared her experience to that of a student being unfairly punished by a lecturer for refusing to give in to inappropriate demands.

“My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” she said.

The senator also addressed the controversy surrounding her sitting arrangement in the chamber. She acknowledged that Order 10 of the Senate Rules states that senators must speak from their assigned seats. However, she argued that when it comes to issues of privilege, lawmakers are allowed to speak from anywhere in the chamber.

On why other female senators have not publicly supported her, Akpoti-Uduaghan suggested they had their own reasons for staying silent. However, she revealed that Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, had privately called her—not to offer support, but to criticize her for filing a defamation lawsuit against Akpabio.

The Kogi senator also responded to Akpabio’s previous nightclub comments, in which he had jokingly referred to the Senate as a nightclub. She dismissed claims that it was a slip of the tongue, alleging instead that the Senate President had once personally suggested organizing a private party in a nightclub setting for them to “have fun.”

Furthermore, Akpoti-Uduaghan denied allegations of corruption raised in a petition by a northern youth group, which was submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Public Petitions, and Code of Conduct. She alleged that the petition was orchestrated by individuals who wanted her to divert committee funds for their benefit.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing damaging statements allegedly made against her.

The lawsuit, filed on February 25, 2025, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, also lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Akpabio’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon Patrick, as defendants.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal action follows a dispute over her reassigned Senate seat after a reshuffle caused by opposition members defecting to the majority wing.

The controversy escalated after a Facebook post, allegedly made at Akpabio’s behest, mocked her legislative contributions.

The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, reportedly included a statement suggesting that the senator “thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.”

Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, described the statement as defamatory, arguing that it was meant to ridicule and tarnish her reputation.

Among her demands, Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a public declaration that the statement was defamatory, a court injunction preventing further defamatory remarks, and N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously alleged plots to suspend her from the National Assembly by Akpabio.