Senator Natasha Accuses Akpabio of Sexual Harassment, Mismanagement of Senate Funds

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of both assault and mismanagement of funds during her tenure as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content. Akpoti provided startling details of her financial stewardship of the committee, disputed allegations of fund misappropriation, and revealed troubling incidents involving Akpabio that escalated into a public confrontation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan shed light on the financial management of the Senate Committee on Local Content, which she chaired. She revealed that when she assumed the position, the committee’s bank account at Sterling Bank was set at zero. However, by the time she handed over the role, the balance had ballooned to over 13 billion naira.

Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed allegations of misappropriating funds, asserting that the money was used exclusively for the committee’s operational costs, such as buying a printer for its work. She further explained that every committee in the National Assembly receives a monthly running cost of 950,000 Naira. Akpoti-Uduaghan pointed out that the balance in the committee’s account drastically decreased after her tenure, with the final amount left being only 123,000 Naira, due to withdrawals made by the committee’s clerk. She stressed that none of the committee’s funds were diverted for personal gain.

The senator also addressed her request for the CVs of the committee’s staff, which she framed as an attempt to ensure a competent and capable team. She explained that there was no need for external consultants since the committee already had capable in-house legal and auditing professionals. Akpoti-Udughans’ efforts, she claimed, were met with resistance from some quarters, fueling tensions during her time in leadership.

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The senator also stated what she perceived as a systemic bias against her, suggesting that her efforts to optimize the committee were viewed as a challenge to the status quo. She also raised concerns about the treatment of women in the Senate, pointing out that she is one of only four women in the chamber. According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, her privileges had repeatedly been undermined, and her dissent was seen as disruptive rather than constructive.

Tensions came to a head in the Senate chambers last week when Akpoti-Uduaghan had a public confrontation with Senate President Akpabio. The altercation began when she was informed that her seat had been changed without prior notice. Akpoti-Uduaghan invoking Order 10, a privilege that allows senators to address issues of personal rights at any time refused to comply with the change and demanded an explanation.

She argued that invoking Order 10 is a clear signal that a senator’s privileges have been violated, and stressed that such a motion must be respected at all costs. The altercation escalated, raising questions about the broader dynamics of power and privilege within the Senate.

The senator also revealed troubling details about an alleged encounter with Akpabio in December 2023 during a visit to his home in Akwa Ibom. Akpoti-Uduaghan described an incident where Akpabio allegedly made suggestive comments, which she interpreted as inappropriate. She recounted how Akpabio allegedly held her hand and made a comment about spending “quality moments” together now that she was a senator, which she found disturbing. Akpoti’s husband, who was present, was reportedly walking behind them, and the situation intensified when Akpoti pulled away from Akpabio, feeling uncomfortable by his comments.

The tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio also spilled over into the Senate’s legislative proceedings. Akpoti-Uduaghan described a situation in February 2024, when she sought to move a motion concerning corruption at Ajaokuta Steel Company. Despite her efforts, Akpabio allegedly blocked the motion, suggesting that she could get it passed if she “took care of him personally.” Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected this proposition, which she found highly inappropriate, and sought support from other senators. Eventually, the motion was passed under the leadership of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, not Akpabio.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also detailed a disturbing encounter at a nightclub, where she claims Akpabio made inappropriate comments. She suggested that these comments were not an accident but rather indicative of a deeper issue of misconduct. Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that such behavior further compounded her frustrations with the Senate’s internal dynamics and its handling of her concerns.

Throughout the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that her actions were motivated by a desire to stand up for her rights and address what she perceives as systemic discrimination and abuse of power within the Senate. She expressed frustration that many of her female colleagues had not publicly supported her, even though they had offered private encouragement.

While Akpabio has yet to respond publicly to the accusations, the controversy continues to unfold, with questions now being raised about the treatment of women in the Senate and the broader power dynamics at play.