News Update
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting his alleged inappropriate advances.
The Kogi Central Senator made these claims during an interview on a television morning show on Friday, 28 February 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the incident took place at Akpabio’s residence in Uyo during his birthday celebration.
“When we were at his house, he held my hand and offered to show me around. My husband was there, walking behind us,” she stated.
The senator detailed the interaction, claiming Akpabio made suggestive comments during the tour of his home.
“When we got to a particular sitting room, he asked, ‘Do you like my house?’ I replied, ‘Of course, sir, every room, every living room.’ Then he said, ‘Now that you are a senator, I want us to come here at your convenience to spend time. You will enjoy it.’”
When asked to clarify her remarks, Akpoti-Uduaghan likened her experience to a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to engage in inappropriate behaviour.
“My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” she asserted.
Tensions escalated on 20 February when Akpoti-Uduaghan disrupted a senate plenary session, rejecting her assigned seat and defying Akpabio’s orders.
Despite being overruled, she continued to raise points of order, creating a scene in the chamber.
Following the incident, the Senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
The committee is expected to investigate her conduct and the circumstances surrounding her outburst.
In a statement on her social media platform on Thursday, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her willingness to appear before the panel.
However, she insisted that the proceedings remain transparent. “I am ready to face the panel, but I will not allow this matter to be handled behind closed doors,” she declared.
The controversy took a legal turn when Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and his legislative aide, Mfon Patrick.
The suit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, alleges that both men made damaging and false statements about her.
As part of the suit, the senator is demanding a public apology and a retraction of the alleged defamatory remarks.
She is also seeking damages for the harm she claims the statements have caused to her reputation.
Akpabio has yet to publicly respond to the allegations, and his office has not issued any official statement on the matter.
Efforts to reach his legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The Senate Ethics Committee is expected to begin its investigation in the coming days, with political observers closely watching the unfolding drama.
The case has already sparked widespread reactions on social media and within political circles.
As the situation develops, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains firm in her stance.
“I will not be silenced. The truth must come to light, and I am prepared to defend myself against these acts of intimidation and retaliation.”
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The Nigerian political landscape now awaits the next chapter in this escalating dispute, with both sides preparing for a potentially lengthy legal and ethical battle.
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