Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio has maligned, victimized, and denied her legislative privileges due to her refusal to engage in an inappropriate relationship with him.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Akpoti claimed that Akpabio has persistently made unwelcome advances towards her and has used his position to block her motions in the Senate as a form of retaliation.
The controversy between the two lawmakers recently came to a head following a dispute over seating arrangements on the Senate floor. However, Akpoti asserts that her ordeal with Akpabio goes much deeper.
Allegations of Harassment and Abuse of Power
Detailing her experience, Akpoti recounted an incident that allegedly took place on December 8, 2023, a day before both her birthday and Akpabio’s.
“We were all in Akwa Ibom, and he held my hand, saying he wanted to show me around his house. My husband was walking behind us. I noticed that he hastened his pace while still holding my hand, and then he got to a particular sitting room and said, ‘Do you like my house?’ I said, ‘Of course, sir, every room is beautiful.’ He then said, ‘Now that you are a senator, I’m going to create time for us to come and spend quality moments here, you will enjoy it.’”
She further alleged that Akpabio’s advances were not limited to that occasion. According to her, when she attempted to move a motion for the investigation of anti-corruption practices at Ajaokuta Steel Company, she faced repeated obstacles.
“I listed that motion five times, but it was only on the sixth attempt that it was approved. Many senators can testify to that. Each time the motion was listed, he would say, ‘Senator Natasha, we can’t take this motion because the good of the Senate does not accommodate it.’”
Akpoti claimed that when she confronted Akpabio about why her motion was repeatedly stepped down, he allegedly responded, “Natasha, I’m the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.”
Claims of Retaliation and Exclusion from Senate Privileges
Akpoti asserted that her refusal to comply with Akpabio’s alleged demands resulted in systemic victimization. She cited a recent altercation on the Senate floor, where she attempted to invoke Order 10, a provision that allows a senator to speak if their privileges are infringed upon.
“The Senate President made a mistake by not allowing me to speak on that Order 10,” she stated. “Once I raised Order 10, the Senate President ought to have allowed me to speak. Instead, he ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove me from the chambers and prepare for my suspension.”
Drawing a parallel to academic victimization, Akpoti remarked, “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.”
A Call for Accountability
The senator emphasized that she was speaking out to ensure transparency and accountability in the Senate, while also allowing Akpabio the opportunity to counter her claims.
“Many people do not know what I’m about to say, and I’m going to speak my truth while the Senate President is allowed to counter it,” she declared.
As of now, Akpabio has not publicly responded to the allegations. The claims, if proven true, could have serious implications for the leadership of the Senate and the broader political landscape.
