BY ADEKOLA BOLUWAJI NIFEMI
️ A Sexual Harassment Allegation That Rocked the Nigerian Senate
Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging that during a December 8, 2023, visit to his residence, he made sexually suggestive advances—holding her hand, guiding her through his home, and implying her Senate motions would only be heard if she “took care” of him.
Akpabio Denies and Blames “False Allegations”
Akpabio vehemently denied the allegations, stating, “At no time did I ever harass any woman,” asserting that his upbringing and role as a father to daughters make him “a respected advocate for women”.
Senate Prioritizes Suspension Over Investigation
Instead of launching an independent probe, the Senate’s Ethics Committee dismissed Natasha’s petition on procedural grounds—she had signed it herself instead of obtaining another senator’s endorsement. Soon after, they suspended her for six months, citing “unruly and disruptive behaviour,” including defying seating orders and speaking out of turn.
Public Backlash Meets Institutional Silence
•Women’s rights advocates condemned the Senate’s actions. One activist called it “a sad day for Nigerian women” .
•Mass protests were staged in Lagos, Enugu, Edo, and Kaduna under the banner “We are all Natasha”, calling for justice and accountability.
•Civil society organizations petitioned the UN, arguing the Senate used internal rules to dodge transparency.
The Legal and Ethical Impasse
•Akpabio’s legal team, led by SAN Olisa Agbakoba, demanded that Natasha retract her allegations, citing contradictory timelines—she allegedly praised Akpabio the day after the incident, only to delete the message later.
•Natasha responded strongly, stating she never received any demand letters, and insisted the evidence is for the courts to evaluate.
What This Reveals About Power and Gender in Nigeria
•The Senate prioritized procedural technicalities over truth, effectively penalizing the accuser rather than investigating the accused.
•With only 4 women in a 109-member Senate, the incident underscores the systematic silencing of women in Nigerian politics.
•One commenter on Reddit noted:
“This discourages women from speaking up when they find themselves being sexually harassed … This country is a joke.”
Another added:
“The issue has moved beyond whether Natasha had concrete evidence … it’s known about the Senate’s conduct and the dangerous precedent they’ve set.”
⚖️ Final Judgment: Silence Over Substance
This scandal isn’t just about personal allegations—it reflects deep institutional rot. The Senate’s decision to suppress the complaint and suspend Natasha without an impartial investigation conveys a warning to all Nigerian women: speak up, and risk being silenced.
Until there’s a transparent, credible inquiry, this episode will be remembered not for revealing the truth, but for how power protected itself at the cost of justice.