A political firestorm has erupted in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber following bombshell accusations from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, who claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio subjected her to sexual harassment and subsequent victimization after she rebuffed his advances. The allegations, aired during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Friday, February 28, 2025, have thrust the Senate into a maelstrom of controversy, prompting a swift rebuttal from Akpabio’s camp and igniting widespread public debate. As of 12:24 PM WAT, the Senate President’s office has dismissed the claims as baseless, alleging they stem from Natasha’s frustration over her removal from a key committee post.
The Allegations: A Senator’s Shocking Claims
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dropped a bombshell during her Arise TV appearance, alleging 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, she claimed, when Akpabio allegedly made inappropriate advances. According to Natasha, 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, framing it as the genesis of their rift.
The senator further alleged that Akpabio’s harassment continued in the Senate, where he reportedly blocked her motions—most notably one concerning 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.” Natasha likened her situation to “a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” asserting that her refusal led to persistent marginalization, including a recent seating dispute that saw her referred to the Senate’s Ethics Committee.
Akpabio and Sexual Harassment. 5&6
Recall: Premium Times Nigeria,. July 13,2020
I slapped Akpabio for sexually harassing me, ex-NDDC chief says
Former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh, has claimed that she slapped the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, for sexually assaulting her.
She disclosed this during an interview with Arise TV where she said she is the only Nigerian woman who has slapped the 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.”
Akpabio’s Defense: A Political Vendetta?
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, through his media consultant Kenny Okulogbo, has vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them “tissues of lies” concocted by a disgruntled senator. Okulogbo, Natasha’s accusations to 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,” Okulogbo stated, promising an official statement from Akpabio’s office soon to address the matter fully.
The denial comes amid a tense backdrop. Natasha’s clash with Akpabio escalated 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—a move she has since challenged with a N100.3 billion fundamental human rights lawsuit against Akpabio, filed at the FCT High Court.
A History of Friction
This is not the first time Akpabio and Natasha have locked horns. 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 drew accusations of misogyny and prompted a public apology after backlash from women’s groups. That incident, coupled with earlier tensions with other female senators like Ireti Kingibe, has fueled perceptions of Akpabio as dismissive toward women in the chamber a narrative Natasha’s allegations now amplify.
Public Outcry and Political Fallout
Natasha’s allegations have triggered a torrent of reactions, particularly on social media platforms like X, where sentiments range from outrage to skepticism. Some Nigerians demand Akpabio’s resignation, with one user posting, “In a sane clime, after this revelation by Senator Natasha, Akpabio should be resigning from his position as Senate President.” Others caution against rushing to judgment, noting the lack of corroborating evidence and the potential for political motives to cloud the truth. “Is she saying the truth? We don’t know. Is she lying? We also do not know,” another X user mused, reflecting the polarized discourse.
The timing of the accusations—amid Natasha’s legal and disciplinary battles has led some to question her credibility, while supporters laud her courage in confronting a powerful figure. Women’s advocates, referencing Akpabio’s prior remarks, see a pattern of behavior, with one X post stating, “Your courage today is for you, the women of today and for the women of tomorrow.” The controversy has also reignited calls for stronger mechanisms to address harassment within Nigeria’s political institutions.
Akpabio, as Senate President, wields significant influence, presiding over a chamber tasked with critical legislation. Natasha’s allegations, if proven, could not only end his tenure but also prompt a reckoning for how power dynamics and gender intersect in Nigerian politics. Conversely, if deemed baseless, they risk damaging her reputation and reinforcing narratives of political score-settling.
