By Prosper Mene
The political firestorm between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio shows no signs of coming to an end as of March 17, 2025, with fresh developments intensifying Nigeria’s most gripping legislative controversy of the year. What began as an allegation of sexual harassment has spiraled into a saga of suspensions, legal battles, and now security agency involvement, spotlighting issues of power, gender, and justice in Nigeria’s Senate.
Latest Developments: On March 11, 2025, Senator Natasha, the first female senator from Kogi Central, addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at a United Nations forum in New York, alleging her six-month suspension from the Senate—effective March 6—was retaliation for rejecting Akpabio’s alleged sexual advances. She claimed the Senate President propositioned her, tying legislative favors to personal demands, a charge Akpabio vehemently denies. The Senate insists her suspension stemmed from “gross misconduct” over a seating dispute, not her harassment claims, which were dismissed on procedural grounds.
This week, the plot thickened as reports emerged that the Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are probing Natasha’s unauthorized trip to the IPU meeting.
The move has fueled accusations from her supporters that the government is using state machinery to intimidate her, with protests erupting in Abuja and Lagos under hashtags like #WeAreAllNatasha.
Legal and Public Backlash: Natasha has escalated her fight, filing a contempt suit against Akpabio and Senate officials on March 13 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging her suspension as unlawful. The court had previously, on March 4, restrained the Senate from disciplining her pending a hearing, now set for March 20, 2025. Meanwhile, Akpabio’s camp asserts the IPU lacks jurisdiction over Senate affairs, with his aide, Eseme Eyiboh, dismissing calls for him to testify internationally.
Public reaction remains polarized. Women’s rights groups and civil society organizations, including a coalition from Edo State, have rallied behind Natasha, condemning what they call a “misogynistic” silencing of a rare female voice in the 109-seat Senate, where women hold just four seats. Critics, however, including political analyst Omotayo Yusuf, question her evidence, urging her to substantiate claims that have gripped national discourse since her February 28 Arise TV interview.
The Bigger Picture: The scandal has reignited debates about gender-based violence in Nigerian politics. Natasha’s suspension leaves the Senate with only three female lawmakers, amplifying calls for reform. Her allegations echo past tensions with Akpabio, who apologized in July 2024 for a “nightclub” remark aimed at her, suggesting a pattern of friction. Political economist Pat Utomi has accused Akpabio of worse conduct than Natasha’s alleged breaches, pointing to a double standard.
What’s Next?: As the DSS probe unfolds and the court date clock ticks, Nigeria watches a high-stakes showdown. Will Natasha’s evidence—if presented—vindicate her, or will Akpabio’s defense hold sway? For now, the scandal remains a lightning rod, exposing fault lines in power and privilege.
