***Laments ordeal with Unrelenting Harassment
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio dominated her live interview on Human Rights Radio on Friday, where she detailed her Senate ordeal and alleged political targeting.
Recall that heated confrontation unfolded during Thursday’s Senate plenary session when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) protested the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, leading to tense moments in the chamber.
The session took an unexpected turn when Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived to find her seat reassigned, with her nameplate removed. Outraged, she immediately raised her voice in protest, demanding an explanation for what she perceived as an unjustified move.
During a live appearance on Berekete Radio, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan gave insights to the circumstances surrounding the face-off with the Senate President and the rowdy session.
Reacting to the unexpected call from the show’s host, she expressed initial hesitation but acknowledged her deep respect for the platform.
“I wasn’t expecting this call, and I’ve actually turned down several interview requests. But I have great respect for you, so I will respond as best as I can,” she said.
Allegations of Harassment and Political Isolation
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that she has faced continuous harassment and exclusion since a nightclub incident last year. According to her, she has been denied key privileges, including participation in international engagements.
“I was nominated for a United Nations event, but my name was struck out. Since last year, every international event I’ve attended has been self-sponsored. If I believe an event is important for my constituents, Nigerian women, or the country, I pay for my own tickets and fund my trips without speaking about it,” she explained.
She also alleged that the recent rearrangement of Senate seating positions was a strategic move to silence and sideline her.
“Senate seating arrangements are critical. The closer you sit, the better your chances of being seen and called upon to contribute. I was already sitting at the back, just before the door, and now I was suddenly moved to an even more obscure position—without any notice. In that seat, the cameras don’t capture you, and raising your hand doesn’t guarantee being called upon,” she lamented.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further alleged that she was recently removed from the Local Content Committee due to unfounded accusations of diverting Niger Delta resources to the North.
“This is simply not true. The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline, set for completion in the second quarter of this year, requires feed gas. With Nigeria pushing for industrialization and CNG adoption, we need proper gas supply across the country, including the North. The President even signed an executive order on this, so why am I being singled out?” she questioned.
She claimed that the Senate leadership is planning her suspension, but she remains undeterred.
“Yesterday, I invoked Order 10, which allows a senator to defend their rights if they feel they are being unfairly treated. Instead of being suspended outright, I requested to be sent to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for a fair hearing. If I hadn’t done that, I would have been suspended immediately. But I know they are still planning to suspend me,” she stated.
Despite the challenges, she reassured Nigerians that she remains committed to serving her people.
“If they suspend me, it won’t stop me from doing my work. I appreciate the support of Nigerians who continue to stand by me,” she said
Speaking on the program, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan detailed what she described as a pattern of harassment, exclusion, and political victimization, which she said is aimed at silencing her.
Amid the growing tension, Hon. Dr. Onujagbe Nasir, Deputy Secretary-General of Egbira Voice Worldwide, has written an open letter to Senate President Akpabio, demanding a public apology for what he described as misogyny, intimidation, and abuse of power.
The letter further urged the Senate President to issue a public apology to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, Respect the rights and dignity of all senators, regardless of gender, region, or party affiliation and ensure the Senate remains a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all lawmakersat’s Next?
The letter reads,
Dear Senate President Akpabio,
“I am writing to express my strongest protest against your conduct towards our Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during today’s (Thursday 20, February, 2025) Senate session. “Your actions were undesirable, unacceptable, unbecoming, and a clear violation of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights as a duly elected representative of the people like you.
“The altercation began over a seating arrangement which could have seamlessly handle escalated into a heated exchange. Instead of resolving the issue amicably, you resorted to condescending remarks, trying to silencing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and instructing the Sergeant-at-Arms to intervene ¹. This behavior is a clear display of misogyny, bullying, disrespect, and abuse of power.
“Furthermore, your actions undermine the principles of equality, fairness, and justice that our democracy is founded upon. As the Senate President, it is your duty to uphold these principles, not to perpetuate a culture of intimidation, harassment, discrimination and beer parlour gangsterism behaviours.
“Your persecution of distinguished senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan has been traced to the foundation lying of LNG stations at Ajaokuta Steel Company limited in which you (Senate president) had accosted Natasha of carting the south-south resources to northern state.
“You have equally removed senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan from the chairperson of Local Content Committee, a position you felt gave her the audacity to facilitate the LNG stations to Ajaokuta Steel Company limited.
“I demand that you take immediate action to:
– Apologize to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Kogi Central Senatorial district for your unacceptable behavior
– Respect the rights and dignity of all senators, regardless of gender or party affiliation
– Ensure that the Senate provides a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all members
“Your actions will be closely monitored, but you can rewrite your history by righting the wrongs as I expect a prompt response regarding the steps you will take to address this situation
“Your actions were undesirable, unacceptable, and unbecoming of a leader. The altercation over a mere seating arrangement could have been resolved amicably. Instead, you chose intimidation and an attempt to silence Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
Meanwhile, political analysts believe that this issue has further exposed deep divisions within the Senate and could set a precedent for how female legislators are treated in Nigeria’s political space.
With growing public interest and calls for accountability, all eyes are now on the Senate leadership’s next move.