My Senate Troubles Began After I Rejected Akpabio’s Advances – Natasha

Senator Natasha has alleged that her challenges in the Senate began after she declined Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s advances. Read more on the controversy.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator for Kogi Central, claimed that her difficulties in the Senate began after rejecting unwanted advances from Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In an interview with Arise TV on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared her story.

“My situation involves a lecturer punishing me because I refused to sleep with him,” she explained.

Natasha recounted her experience with Akpabio, stating that:

The Senate President erred by not permitting me to discuss Order 10.

The Senate President has the authority to allocate seats, and senators are expected to comply. However, when a senator invokes Order 10, it signifies that their privileges have been violated, which can be addressed at any time or place.

Once a senator calls out Order 10, regardless of whether they are being forcibly removed or not, their right to be heard must be respected.

After I invoked Order 10, the Senate President should have permitted me to speak. He had the discretion either to refer my complaint to the Ethics and Privileges Committee or dismiss it, but he did not take those actions. Instead, he instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort me out of the chambers and initiate steps for my suspension.

I did mention that in the Senate, I have faced dehumanization and defamation, among other things. I believe this situation was simply the final straw for me.

Not many are aware of what I’m about to share, and I am going to express my truth while the Senate President has the opportunity to respond.

It all began on December 8, 2023, just a day before both my birthday and his. We were in Akwa Ibom when he took my hand to show me around his house while my husband followed behind us.

As we were walking, I realized he quickened his steps while still holding my hand. Upon reaching a certain sitting room, he asked me, “Do you like my house?” I replied enthusiastically, “Yes sir, every room is beautiful.” He then remarked, “Now that you’re a senator, I’ll make time for us to spend some quality moments here—you’ll really enjoy it.”

I glanced at my husband to check if he had heard it, and the Senate President also looked over, saying, “Let me show you my chapel too.”

That evening, we departed from his house around 11 PM. My husband inquired about my conversation with the Senate President. I was unsure whether to share what the Senate President mentioned about inviting me there to ‘have a good time’ or if it would be better to stay silent, knowing how highly my husband thought of him.

In February, I sought to initiate a motion to investigate anti-corruption practices at Ajaokuta Steel Company. Despite listing the motion five times, it was only approved on my sixth attempt. Many senators can confirm this experience. Each time it was listed before that, he would say, “Senator Natasha, we cannot proceed with this motion as it is not in line with the Senate’s interests.”

He continued with his actions, so I visited his office and said, “You understand how crucial the Ajaokuta Steel Company is to both me and my community. I’ve observed that you’ve consistently postponed this motion.” He responded by saying, “Natasha, as the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate, there are many benefits you can enjoy if you look after my interests and ensure I’m content.”

At that moment, I mentioned that I would act as if I hadn’t heard it. He responded by saying, “The decision is yours now.” When I returned home, I asked my husband to contact the Senate President and ensure my motion was approved.

You know how a student might keep failing because they won’t comply with inappropriate demands from a lecturer? That’s essentially what I’m experiencing.

“As for the nightclub incident, I don’t think it was an accidental remark. He mentioned to me that there are numerous ways we can enjoy ourselves when we travel.”