Nigerian Senate Operates Like a Cult – Senator Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that the Nigerian Senate functions like a cult, raising concerns about transparency and governance.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a suspended lawmaker from Kogi Central, compared the Nigerian Senate to a cult. She claimed that lawmakers hesitate to voice opposing opinions due to fear of backlash.

In an interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that her six-month suspension for alleged gross misconduct was simply a strategy to silence her.

She contended that the Senate stifles independent viewpoints, fostering an atmosphere where legislators are more likely to conform than question decisions.

“I am being targeted. My suspension is a way to silence me,” she stated.

The experience unfolded as a series of episodes and moments. We found ourselves at his country home, where he led me on a tour through the house while my husband followed behind us, holding my hand.

He then squeezed my hands in a decidedly suggestive manner. As women, we understand the implications when a man does that.

He said, “Now that you’re in the Senate, I’ll create an opportunity for us to come here and share a nice moment,” or something along those lines.

Remember that Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment following a confrontation during last month’s plenary session.

On March 6, she received a six-month suspension from the Senate for “gross misconduct” due to her failure to appear before the Ethics and Privilege committee.

When questioned about whether Akpabio had ever made advances towards her in the chamber or the senate, she explained, “Once, I hurried to work and forgot to wear my ring. There were around five senators present. He remarked, ‘Oh Natasha, you’re not wearing your ring. Is this an invitation for something more?’ It was comments like that.”

In response to the interview, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, the Senate’s Deputy Chief Whip, informed the BBC that Akpabio never engaged in making sexual advances or inappropriate remarks toward Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Nwaebonyi also dismissed the assertion made by the Kogi Central Senator that the senate was attempting to silence her.

“This claim is not true, as Senator Natasha’s legislative activities demonstrate,” he stated.