By Eric Elezuo
This is not the best of times for Nigeria’s number three citizen, and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as accusations of sexual and moral malfeasance has been leveled against his person by the Senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Natasha is the wife of a former governor of Delta State, Mr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Natasha had clashed with Akpabio on February 20, 2025, when she protested a reassignment of her Senate seat, sparking a heated plenary confrontation. The incident, rooted in a reshuffle following defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led to her referral to the Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee on February 25 for disciplinary review. The move prompted her to seek legal redress against Akpabio, demanding N100.3 billion as damages for infringement on her fundamental human rights, at the FCT High Court.
Natasha’s damning accusations came soon afterwards, and were broadcast live before millions of television viewers across the nation and beyond on the Arise News Channel. Ever since, the media space has not been the same with divergent voices taking sides, and queuing behind the two senators, depending on either reasoning, sentiments or alliance.
Speaking a matter of factly, Mrs Uduaghan narrated what appears to be a tale out of school holding Nigerians spellbound at how a ranking public officer would descend to the level of asking another man’s wife for sexual gratification, and victimizing her at her refusal.
Natasha claimed that Senate President Akpabio subjected her to sexual harassment and subsequent victimization after she rebuffed his advances.
But since both gladiators belong to different parties, the matter has since developed into a political firestorm with a majority of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calling for Akpabio’s probe and resignation, while the members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has remained more silent and condemning of the Kogi Senator.
The Senate President, yet embattled on the physical side, had had his various camps coming out in staunch defence of his integrity, saying he was being lied against. Akpabio’s denial through his camp, has further fueled the ensuing public debate, and blames and counter blames.
But the Senate President, through his media consultant Kenny Okulogbo, vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them “tissues of lies” concocted by a disgruntled senator, and saying he is innocent of all accusations. He noted that Natasha’s accusations stems from her removal as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, suggesting that her claims were a retaliatory smear campaign.
“She is just angry because she was removed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content,” the Aide opined
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan unveiled that her troubles with Akpabio began in December 2023 during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom State. The visit, which coincided with celebrations for their shared birthday, turned uncomfortable, according to her, when Akpabio allegedly made inappropriate advances.
The Kogi Senator further said that the Senate President held her hand while showing her around his home, with her husband trailing behind, and suggested she spend “quality time” with him there, implying a romantic liaison.
“He said, ‘Now that you are a Senator, you are going to create time for us to spend quality time here and you will enjoy it,” she recounted.
She added in her allegations that Akpabio’s harassment continued in the Senate, where he reportedly blocked her motions, with special reference to the Ajaokuta Steel Company in her district unless she acquiesced to his demands. She described a specific encounter where, after being advised by colleagues to meet him privately, Akpabio told her, “Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy,” and quoted the Senate President, equating her situation to “a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”
She categorically stated that her refusal led to persistent marginalization, including a recent seating dispute, which uncovered the can of chill crawling worms, and even saw her being referred to the Senate’s Ethics Committee.
The Senate President’s office was prompt, amd shortly after the revelation, released a statement that dismissed the claims as baseless, alleging they stem from Natasha’s frustration over her removal from a key committee post.
While recalling that in 2020, Akpabio was involved in similar misdemeanor when he was slapped by a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Joy Nunieh, when he was the Minister of Niger Delta Affair for sexually assaulting her, most Nigerians have faulted the Senate President, saying he may have the capacity to behave inappropriately with the Kogi Senator.
It was also through Arise News interview that the former NDDC boss made her disclosure, stating boldly that that she is the only Nigerian woman who has slapped the then minister. The incident, she said, happened at his guest house in Abuja.
“Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only Ogoni woman, the only Nigerian woman that has slapped him. I slapped him because of his plan B. Since he couldn’t get me to take that money, he thought that he could come up on me.
“He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money…by somebody telling me that he will make me the substantive MD. Akpabio’s meetings with me were either at Apo or Meridien…Yes, I am accusing him of sexual harassment,” Nunieh boasted.
But instead of prosecution, Akpabio became the Senate President, the nation’s third most powerful person.
Natasha and Akpabio however, apart from a a history of undeveloped affair, have been embroiled in cat and rat imbroglio before the present.
In July 2024, Akpabio sparked outrage by telling Natasha not to speak like she was in a “nightclub” during a plenary session, a remark that was frowned at and labeled the first among equal Senator as a misogynist. He ate the humble pie however, when he was forced to apologize to Senator Natasha and following a public backlash from Nigerians, motably, women’s groups.
But while Akwa Ibom women have protested against Natasha for her accusations, most women groups, not including APC, whose Women leader could not categorically condemn the act, have risen to condemn Akpabio.
Among backlashes for Akpabio’s action are the ones from the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki. Both leaders advised Akpabio to step down, and face a disciplinary committee.
The incidents of harrassment, both present and past, has placed Akpabio on the radar of one is averred to the progress of women.
But the Senate President’s wife, has stood up for her husband, describing him as a disciplined man, who can do what he has been accused of. She dismissed Natasha’s allegations as lies, dragging her to court for N250 billion damages.
As divergent opinions continue to thrive in the public space with the Senate declaring that they will do about about the matter until a petition is brought before it, Natasha’s allegations remain allegations until proved.
If and when the matter is finally brought for adjudication, it is obvious that a head or heads will roll. Akpabio, as Senate President, may likely lose his power, influence and position if Natasha’s allegations is proven to be accurate. But if on the other hand, Natasha’s allegations happen to be, as some said, a mere figment of her imagination, her slim political relevance will crash like a pack of cards.
Someone, who craved anonymity had chipped in that come what Natasha’s end as a senator is fast approaching.
“If she manages to complete this particular tenure, she’s definitely not coming back; the powers that be will ensure that,” he said.
The story is developing, and though the Senate and Senate President feel upbeat, the consequence will be dire if Akpabio is found culpable.
