The recent allegations leveled by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio have sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape. In a televised interview on Arise News on February 28, 2025, the Kogi Central senator accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her during a visit to his Uyo residence in December 2023, claiming her subsequent victimization in the Senate stems from rejecting his advances.
This grave accusation, set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s patriarchal political culture, demands urgent attention—not just for the individuals involved, but for the integrity of the National Assembly and the nation’s stance on gender equity.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s account paints a troubling picture: an alleged suggestive encounter at Akpabio’s home, followed by professional retaliation—delays in her motions, a forced seat reassignment, and silencing on the Senate floor. She likened her plight to “a student punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” a metaphor that resonates with many Nigerian women who’ve faced similar coercion.
Her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, corroborated her claims, noting he’d confronted Akpabio to resolve the matter amicably, yet the harassment persisted.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s camp, via media consultant Kenny Okulogbo, dismissed the allegations as “tissues of lies,” tying her frustration to losing a committee chairmanship—a deflection that sidesteps the core issue.
Nigerians have reacted with a mix of outrage, skepticism, and cultural defensiveness. On X and other social media, sentiments range from calls for Akpabio’s resignation—“In a sane country, he’d be forced to step down,” wrote one user—to victim-blaming and regional loyalty. Some Akwa Ibom women reportedly protested, urging Natasha to “leave our son alone,” reflecting a troubling tendency to shield powerful men under ethnic banners. Others, like activist Dr. Joe Odumakin, insist the allegations merit a thorough probe, arguing that dismissing them risks normalizing abuse in high office. The outrage is palpable, yet polarized—some see Natasha as a courageous whistleblower, others as a political opportunist leveraging a weaponized claim.
This isn’t Akpabio’s first brush with such accusations. In 2020, Joy Nunieh, ex-NDDC boss, accused him of similar misconduct, which he denied. The recurrence raises questions about accountability at Nigeria’s apex legislature.
If true, Natasha’s allegations expose a Senate where power dynamics silence dissent and exploit gender vulnerabilities. If false, they damage a public institution already battling credibility deficits. Either way, the status quo—where allegations fester without resolution—serves no one.
Resolution demands a transparent, impartial investigation. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, currently reviewing Natasha’s case, must broadcast its proceedings live, as she’s demanded, to ensure fairness and public trust.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s call for an open probe aligns with this: both Akpabio and Natasha should face scrutiny under Senate rules, not backroom deals.
Legal actions—Natasha’s N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio, and Unoma Akpabio’s N250 billion countersuit—shouldn’t derail this process; courts can settle personal scores, but the Senate must address its systemic flaws.
Beyond investigation, Nigeria needs stronger laws and enforcement against sexual harassment in public office. States have criminalized it, but the National Assembly lags. A clear policy, paired with cultural shifts to destigmatize victims, is overdue. Akpabio shouldn’t resign preemptively—due process matters—but he must step aside during the probe to avoid tainting it.
Nigerians deserve a Senate that upholds dignity, not one mired in scandal. This case could be a turning point—or another buried disgrace. The choice lies with our lawmakers and us, the watching public.
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