Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, following a heated dispute over her Senate seating arrangement.
In a widely circulated video, Akpoti-Uduaghan was seen challenging the directive to change her seat, standing her ground against what she perceived as an unjust decision.
“As a senator duly elected by my people, I choose to remain in this seat, no matter what. The worst you can do is suspend me,” she declared while confronting Akpabio.
She expressed frustration over not being consulted beforehand and being denied the right to speak unless she complied. Some lawmakers urged her to accept the change for the sake of peace, but she refused to back down.
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Tensions escalated further when reports surfaced that Akpabio allegedly mocked her as an ignorant lawmaker, while his spokesman reportedly dismissed her as a narcissist more focused on fashion and makeup than legislative duties.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Nigeria’s north-central Kogi Central district, filed a ₦1.3 billion ($865,945) defamation lawsuit against Akpabio and his spokesperson.
The controversy took a dramatic turn when she publicly accused the Senate President of sexually harassing her on live television.
According to her, Akpabio—who was a friend of her husband—had made repeated advances toward her, which she rejected. She claimed that as a result, he deliberately victimized her, dismissing her motions and denying her opportunities to speak in the Senate.
“You know when a student keeps failing because they refuse to sleep with a lecturer? That is exactly what I have been facing, in simple terms,” she reportedly said on Arise Television.
Her allegations sparked widespread controversy, especially within the 109-member, male-dominated Senate, where many lawmakers condemned her, accusing her of tarnishing the institution’s reputation.
In the wake of the scandal, the Nigerian Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, stripping her of her allowances and security privileges.
However, many prominent Nigerian figures and groups have reportedly called for a transparent investigation.
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