Natasha-Akpoti: Akpabio frustrating me because I didn’t yield to his sexual advances

The battle between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan took another twist on Friday as the Kogi Central Senator accused her Akwa Ibom counterpart of sexual harassment.

Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her problem with Akpabio began on 8th December 2023 when she visited him alongside her husband at his residence in Akwa Ibom.

She claimed the Senate President had asked her to visit him “from time to time to spend time with him” after showing her a room in his residence.

“It all started the day before his birthday and my birthday because we are birthday mates. We were all in Akwa Ibom. At first, we were in his house at Ikot Ekpene. Then we all went to his house in Uyo. He held my hand, walking around from room to room, showing me the beautiful interiors.

“He got to a particular sitting room and asked me if I liked his house. I said, ‘Of course, Sir, every room is beautiful—quality taste.’ He said, ‘Now you are a senator, I am going to create time for us to come and create quality moments here. You will enjoy it.’ At that point, I pulled away because I didn’t understand what he meant.”

She also accused Akpabio of refusing to allow her to move her motion because she resisted his alleged sexual advances. She said that when she confronted Akpabio, the Senate President responded:

“Natasha, I am the chief presiding officer. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy. The ball is in your court,” Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed Akpabio added.

It will be recalled that the Senate on Tuesday referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions over alleged disorderly conduct during a recent plenary session.

The committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo), was mandated to turn in its findings in two weeks.

The upper chamber’s resolution followed a voice vote after lawmakers revisited the controversy surrounding the recent altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership over seat allocation.

Coming under Order 1(b) and 10, the Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, condemned what he described as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “extreme intransigence” during the Senate session on February 20.

“From that Thursday, the media was awash with this issue, and I had to work on mending the perception of the 10th Senate.

“The Senate is not a platform for content creation but a place for lawmaking and oversight functions,” he said.

Adaramodu urged the Senate leadership to enforce discipline, warning that “where there is sin, there must be a penalty.”

“This chamber is not a place for theatrics or social media content creation. We are here to legislate, advocate for our constituents, and provide oversight over MDAs, not to engage in media dramatisation,” he said.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo) also supported the motion, emphasising the importance of maintaining order and decorum in the Senate.

Ibrahim urged all senators to respect the institution’s guiding rules, comparing the Standing Orders to the Bible and Quran for lawmakers.

Also, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for a disciplinary review, affirming the Senate’s commitment to its rules and internal order.

According to him, “There is no one who does not have an opinion on this issue, but we are unified by our rules.

“Under our watch, we will not allow this institution to be discredited beyond what we inherited. Our integrity is non-negotiable,” he said.

Bamidele dismissed claims that the dispute was rooted in gender bias or discrimination, citing examples of senior senators who had accepted seat changes without protest.

Contributing, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, described the incident as “an avoidable drama” and apologised on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He urged the Senate to focus on its legislative responsibilities while allowing the Ethics Committee to handle the matter.

Responding, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, directed the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to review the entire incident and report back to the chamber in two weeks.

According to Akpabio, the Senate rules allow members to sit anywhere, but contributions must be made from their designated seats.

He said a lack of familiarity with Senate procedures might have contributed to the altercation.

“The first day she (Akpoti-Uduaghan) was sworn in, she stood up to contribute, and I was worried if she had even read the rule book.

“There is nothing wrong with being vibrant, but everything is wrong with disobeying procedures,” he said.

Citing Order 66(2) and Section 55 of Senate rules, he underscored the need for senators to conduct themselves with decorum, including prohibitions on chewing gum, drinking water, or being disruptive during sittings.

“The rules empower the Senate President to suspend a senator for infractions for at least 14 days. It’s not me who made the rules; it’s in the rule book,” Akpabio said. (NAN)