On the floors of Nigeria’s Senate, where laws are made, a different kind of battle has unfolded—one that speaks volumes about gender, power, and accountability in Nigerian politics. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio has ignited national debates, revealing the entrenched challenges women face in public office. It is painfully ironic that this is unfolding just around International Women’s Day.
This article provides a timeline of the unfolding events, examines the implications of the case, and explores its broader significance for Nigerian women.
Senator Natasha’s Allegations
On February 28th, 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Federal Lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstructing legislative work.
During an interview on National TV, she bravely shared her experience of visiting Akpabio’s residence in Akwa Ibom, where he allegedly made an inappropriate sexual advance towards her. She firmly rejected his proposition. Following this incident, she noticed that whenever she raised motions for the benefit of her constituents, they were consistently ignored. When she confronted the Senate President to ask why her motions were being dismissed, she claimed he responded, “As the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate, I can offer you great opportunities if you take care of me and make me happy.”
Worthy of note, this will not be the first time a woman will call out Senator Akpabio for Sexual harassment. In 2020, Joy Nunieh, former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said she slapped Senator Godswill Akpabio for sexually harassing her.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courageous revelations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio sparked a storm of backlash from various quarters. The accusations of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and legislative obstruction not only ignited a public outcry but also led to fierce criticism from within the Senate itself.
Surprisingly, all of the women in the Nigerian Senate came out to condemn her, dismissing her claims and questioning her integrity—for context, we only have 4 women in the Senate, one is getting sexually harassed and silenced, and the other three did not stand to support their colleague and fellow woman Natasha. Senator Florence Ita-Giwa on national television said “By the time you’ve contested elections and entered the senate, you’ve passed that stage of your life of saying you’re sexually harassed. Senator Biodun Olujimi also on National Television, in reference to Natasha’s accusations against Akpabio, stated that Senate President Akpabio “jokes a lot”. In addition, she advised Senator Natasha to take the case out of court so that women won’t appear to be emotionally unstable. Lastly, Senator Ireti Kingibe, as a member of the Senate Ethics Committee, was part of those who recommended Senator Natasha be suspended from the Senate. To crown it all, the first lady of Nigeria and former senator, Remi Tinubu, amid the Natasha and Akpabio controversy said “(Women) don’t be in a position that men will be talking to you anyhow”. Male senators, of course, joined the chorus of condemnation, further isolating Akpoti-Uduaghan and casting doubt on her allegations.
In a broader effort to silence and discredit the Kogi Central Senator, Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, launched a legal attack on Senator Natasha. Mrs. Akpabio filed two defamation lawsuits against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding a staggering N350 billion in damages for what she claimed was damage to her husband’s reputation.
In a dramatic turn, the general public observed that members of Akpabio’s political team orchestrated protests against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Local women were seemingly paid to take to the streets in opposition to Natasha’s claims, despite many of them not fully understanding the nature of the protest or the details surrounding the allegations. For many of these women, the protests were less about defending the Senate President and more about securing the next meal ticket, as they were most likely financially incentivized to participate. While the others are just good ol’ male-centered women. The protests, while appearing to show support for Akpabio, only fueled public outrage, as it became clear that the situation was not just a battle of words but also a spectacle of power dynamics, manipulation, and the exploitation of economic hardships for political gain. Meanwhile, Pro-Natasha protesters were dispersed by police officers with tear gas to “prevent a breakdown of law and order”. What has been even more sinister, however, is how Senator Akpabio has used his power and influence to mobilize women—his wife, the three female senators, and average Nigerian women—to turn against their fellow woman in a case of this sensitive nature. Patriarchy princesses keep stalling the fight for gender equality.
Senator Natasha’s Petition
On the 4th of March 2025, Senator Natasha filed a petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, against Senator Akpabio for sexual harassment, abuse of office, and malicious obstruction of her legislative functions. It is worthy of note that pre-investigation of the allegations leveled against Akpabio in Natasha’s petition, its chairman, Senator Neda Imaseun described Senator Natasha’s petition as “dead on arrival”, chalking up Akpabio’s inappropriate comments to Natasha as a joke because “we joke a lot in the Senate”. The petition was dismissed for an insignificant procedural flaw—Senator Neda stated “Section 40, Subsection 4 says no senator shall personally sign a petition”. The misuse of legalities in this case further underscores how Nigerian institutions wield technicalities in processes to sideline serious allegations, preventing female victims of violence from receiving the justice they deserve and perpetrators of such violence from being held accountable. Thus, reinforcing the cycle of impunity for those in power. Nevertheless, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted the sexual harassment petition against Akpabio. Her bravery has been an inspiration to all.
In a shocking turn of events, a petition dated February 26th, 2025, submitted by the Northern Youth Advocacy for Excellence (NOYAD), a Pan-Northern youth NGO and CSO, accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of “corruption, breach of trust, and victimization of local content committee staff.” Alongside this, on March 6th, 2025, during a plenary session at the Senate, a recommendation by Senator Neda Imaseun for a six-month suspension for Natasha over alleged violations of the Senate Standing Rules—claiming that Natasha’s actions had brought the Senate and its presiding officer into disrepute—quickly gained traction. These actions led to immediate consequences, unfolding just hours after the dismissal of Senator Natasha’s petition.
The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, effective from March 6th, 2025, has significant and far-reaching consequences. First, it mandates her immediate removal from all legislative activities, effectively halting her participation in Senate proceedings. Additionally, her office will be locked for the duration of her suspension, and she is required to hand over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly. Moreover, she will be prohibited from coming within the vicinity of the National Assembly, including any interaction with its staff, throughout her suspension. This also extends to a suspension of her salaries and allowances, along with those of her legislative aides, while all security details assigned to her will be withdrawn. The Senate Ethics Committee stipulated the condition for any reconsideration of Natasha’s suspension—a written apology from her. Alarmingly, this judgment was delivered by the very person accused in the case, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who also presided over the matter.
Senator Natasha’s last words as her mic was turned off and as she was escorted out of the Senate were:
This injustice will not be sustained
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Final Thoughts
The Natasha Akpoti vs. Godswill Akpabio case is a stark reminder of the barriers women continue to face in politics and leadership roles. Nigerians simply asked for a fair, transparent, and independent investigation of the allegations leveled against Senator Akpabio, yet the Nigerian Senate has opted for the shameful path of indiscriminate abuse of power and desecration of our Public Institution. The ease with which her allegations were dismissed, followed by her suspension, sets a chilling precedent for other women who may consider speaking out against misconduct.
Nigeria’s political space has long been a hostile environment for women, and the treatment of Natasha by her colleagues who are saddled with the responsibility of making laws for a sane and fair Nigeria underscores the urgent need for stronger protections and mechanisms that allow women to challenge harassment without fear of political and professional retaliation. Regardless of how Natasha’s ordeal unfolds, the conversation must continue. Women in Nigeria deserve a political system where they can serve with dignity, free from coercion, intimidation, and abuse of power.
