In the midst of the controversy sparked by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, our MANAGING EDITOR, YUSUF ALLI, encountered her guardian at the Federal Government College, Idoani, Ondo State, Oba Stephen Adedeji Obaro, the Okpahin of Bekuma-Okpameri Kingdom in Edo State. Who was student Natasha? The ex-teacher provides a glimpse. Excerpts:
How many years did you spend teaching at FGC, Idoani?
Nineteen years; from 1987 to 2006.
Which subject did you teach?
English Language and Literature in English
What was the experience like?
To God be the glory, the experience was great, exciting and memorable for having the opportunity to teach and train young boys and girls who are now national leaders.
How did you become the guardian of Natasha?
I assisted her late father, Dr Akpoti to facilitate her admission to the college. Thereafter, the father asked me to take good care of her while in the college. So, we met when he came to the college to see the principal.
What kind of man was her father?
He was a gentleman and a disciplinarian.
How close were you to the family thereafter?
Our closeness was limited to his visits to the college to see his daughter.
Did you ever visit their home, and was it moderate or expansive?
I did not visit their home during her time as a student in the college. So I cannot tell if their home was moderate or expansive.
Who did Natasha resemble; her father or her mother?
From the pictures seen of her mother, she resembles her mother.
Has she other siblings?
I don’t know about that.
What did being a guardian mean in those days?
Being a guardian those days required monitoring students’ conduct and behaviour, monitoring academic performance and health care and counseling.
Was Natasha a stubborn girl?
No, she was not a stubborn girl. She was well behaved throughout her period of study at FGC Idoani.
Which house was she in FGC Idoani?
I can’t remember
Was she a prefect?
She was the head girl of the college in 1997.
When was she in the school? Did she join from JSS 1 or from SS1?
She was in the school between 1994 and 1997. She joined the school from SS1
What was her common sickness?
She was always healthy and smart because her late father, who was a medical doctor, monitored her health throughout her stay in the college.
Which was her favourite food?
Rice
Did she play pranks?
No. She was always calm, gentle, honest and focused.
Was she perfect as a student and as a head girl? Was she a tough girl?
As there is no perfect human being, I cannot say she was perfect. As for her toughness, she was a disciplined student who carried out her assignments creditably.
Was her beauty an issue in the school? Was there a case of untoward activity by or against her?
Her beauty was not an issue then and there was no case of untoward activity by her or against her.
How did you feel when she became pregnant at 19?
That did not happen while she was a student at FGC Idoani.
What roles did you play at that time?
Like I said, Natasha did not get pregnant as a student here. The head girl who got pregnant immediately after her WASCE here after Natasha’s set was from Edo State. So the question of the role I played then does not arise.
What will you remember her for?
I remember her intelligence, neatness, boldness and eloquence. I also remember her good leadership qualities and her kind disposition towards helping her fellow students in need.
Did you envisage she will get to this level?
As an educator, our expectations and prayers for our students are to see them rise to the top of their career. With the level of discipline Natasha exhibited in character and learning which earned her the position of college head girl then, I envisaged her rise, and to the glory of God I am so proud of her accomplishments.
Who else were you guardian to?
Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, former member of House of Representatives; Alfred Ayeni (Da Mayor) of the Nigerian Army and many others who are now medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers , architects, etc, whose names I’m not able to tell now.
With your student now in national limelight, how do you feel?
I feel fulfilled as an educator because they are products of my sweat and the sweat of other educators.
When last did you meet Natasha?
We met in 2021 at Ibillo when she was honoured with a Chieftaincy title as the OSASAFE OF OKPAMERI KINGDOM. She was honoured by the Okpameri Kingdom because of her personal intervention in the rehabilitation of the very bad portions of the inter-state road between Okene in Kogi State, Ibillo and Igarra in Edo State.
Has she visited your kingdom?
No. She has not visited my kingdom due to her very busy schedules and commitments.
The Diaspora Council of Nigerian Youths (DCNY) has expressed its concern over the ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate.
The council addressed the matter during an emergency meeting held at the Congress Hotel in Chicago, with representatives from across the globe in attendance.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the senator’s approach in seeking redress, the DCNY warned that her actions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Comrade Yinka Gbadebo, the Convener and President of the DCNY, emphasized the frustration felt by millions of Nigerian youths over the issue, stressing the need for respectful engagement with the country’s legislative processes.
“We express our profound displeasure over the sensationalism that has characterized Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public statements,” he said. “Her willful violation of Senate rules regarding sitting arrangements is the reason for her suspension, not her unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment.”
The DCNY criticized the senator for what they termed a “global campaign” aimed at discrediting the Nigerian Senate and, consequently, the country’s democratic institutions. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s engagements with international media and organizations, in which she describes Nigeria as a lawless nation, have provoked outrage among the diaspora community. “Her rhetoric not only misrepresents the reality but also damages the collective image of Nigerians both at home and abroad,” Gbadebo added.
The council underscored the adverse impact of such negative portrayals, especially as Nigerians worldwide face increasing scrutiny, visa restrictions, and discrimination due to damaging stereotypes. “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reckless statements reinforce false perceptions about Nigeria, making life even more challenging for our citizens abroad,” noted Dr. Festus Danjuma, Publicity Secretary of the DCNY.
The DCNY issued a stern warning to the senator, urging her to cease her public denunciations and instead respect the due process within the Nigerian judicial system. “If she truly believes in democracy, she must allow the institutions she claims to serve to address her grievances,” said Gbadebo. “Resorting to media trials and international blackmail only serves to undermine the very foundations of justice.”
Highlighting the responsibilities of leadership, the council reminded Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan that decorum and diplomacy are essential for any public servant. “Her current path of sensationalism and self-victimization is unbecoming of a lawmaker,” Gbadebo stated. “If she represents the people, she must prioritize Nigeria’s interests over her personal ambitions.”
The DCNY reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and democratic processes, calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to reject actions that threaten the nation’s reputation. “Nigeria is bigger than any individual,” warned Gbadebo. “We urge Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to halt her destructive actions, seek reconciliation, and act in a manner befitting a public servant.”
As the world watches, the DCNY stands firm in its stance against any attempts to undermine Nigeria’s institutions, asserting that history will judge those who prioritize personal gain over national integrity.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside an order it made on March 4 that any action taken by the Senate and others during the pendency of a suit by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan would be “null, void and of no effect whatsoever”.
In a ruling yesterday on a motion filled by the Senate, Justice Obiora Egwuatu agreed with lawyers to the defendants that the order ought to be vacated.
The defendants listed in the suit are: the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the President of the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuem (Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct).
Arguing the motion, lawyer to the Senate, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), contended that the order “was vague, ambiguous and lacking in specificity” as it did not specify which of the parties it was targeted at or referring to and what actions it related to.
Ojukwu argued that the order, in the form in which it was granted, “refers to all actions of whatever nature, without any limitation, taken by both the plaintiff/respondent and the defendants”.
The lawyer also said the law prohibits the granting of a vague order by a court of law, arguing that the order, which was made ex parte, was pronounced to last till the determination of the suit.
The Senate’s lawyer argued that enforcing the said order, as granted, would result in a constitutional crisis and anarchy, as the entire legislative duties of the Senate would be made to grind to a halt.
Ojukwu claimed that the court was misled into granting the order to hold that the entire proceedings of March 4, upon which that breach occurred, was in nullity.
Lawyers to the other defendants – Charles Yoila, for the Clerk; Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), for the Senate President; and Umeh Kalu (SAN), for Imasuem, agreed with Ojukwu’s submissions.
Natasha’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), faulted the defendants’ arguments and prayed the court to retain the order.
The lawyer described the Senate’s motion as an affront on the court – for asking that the court should set aside the orders the defendants had not challenged.
He argued that the defendants had, with audacity, disobeyed the orders of the court as made on March 4.
Numa added: “This is an invitation to anarchy, my lord. Whatever reservation they have, their only duty is to come to court. The order was that the respondents should come and show cause.”
Also, many constituents in Kogi Central Senatorial District yesterday started a recall process against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Investigation showed that many residents of the senatorial district, especially those in Ihima District, where the senator hails from, trooped out as early as 8 a.m. to participate in the process.
Our correspondent noted that the recall process, which was carried out beyond party lines, is expected to take two days across all polling units in the five local government areas in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
But a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Abdulrahman Badamasiuyi, urged the electorate/voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District to shun the exercise.
He said: “You are hereby notified of a plot by some people to initiate a recall process of our distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate. Please, do not sign any form or give any information on your voter’s card to anybody in the guise of any empowerment or some money.”
• How controversial Kogi lawmaker got married at 19, one week after admission into varsity
• Marital exploits produce four children from three husbands
Beyond her current face-off with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and her suspension by the Senate for unruly behaviour, there are many other parts of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which are hidden from the public, SANNI ONOGU reports.
For three weeks, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly has been in the news, rocking the political landscape with her face-off with the Senate and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
It all began on February 20 with a routine administrative act of rearranging sitting arrangements in the upper chamber following which the Kogi senator was allocated a new seat. She, however, rejected the new arrangement and insisted on maintaining her old seat.
Her attempt to address the Senate from her old seat was rebuffed by the Senate President, who insisted she would only be allowed to speak from the new seat allocated to her by the Senate’s Chief Whip. The outspoken Senator immediately made a show of the incident, accusing the Senate President and persecuting her.
The disagreement later assumed a new dimension with an allegation by Natasha that the Senate President was opposed to her because she had previously rejected his sexual advances. She later took her case to radio and television stations, following which the Senate sent her on six-month suspension for unruly behavior.
But rather than becoming sober, Natasha became even more defiant, dragging the Senate President and other principal officers of the upper chamber to court for contempt. Still not satisfied with involving the courts in the matter, she recently escalated the matter further by taking her case to the United Nations (UN) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
In the beginning
Natasha has been a formidable force in Kogi State politics since 2019, defying the odds in a male-dominated space. As a trained lawyer and entrepreneur, she first gained public recognition through her advocacy for the revival of Nigeria’s steel industry, particularly the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company.
Her entry into politics was marked by resilience, as she contested for the Kogi Central senatorial seat multiple times, facing strong opposition from established political structures. And despite electoral setbacks, she remained a vocal advocate for good governance, industrialization and women’s empowerment.
Beyond politics, Akpoti-Uduaghan carved a niche for herself as an activist and philanthropist, championing causes that addressed gender inequality, youth empowerment and social justice. Through the Natasha Akpoti Foundation, she provided scholarships, vocational training and healthcare support for underprivileged Nigerians, particularly in Kogi Central, which is made up of Okene, Okehi, Adavi, Ajaokuta and Ogori-Magongo local government areas.
The extension of her activism to exposing corruption in the steel sector apparently made her a target for political persecution. She, however, remained undeterred, using every available platform to push for reforms that could transform the lives of ordinary citizens. Her eventual success in winning a senatorial seat was seen by many as a victory for women in Nigerian politics.
In the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan focused on legislative efforts to boost industrialization, enhance security and improve social welfare. She was vocal on issues affecting her constituents, especially in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare and job creation. However, her tenure has not been without challenges. Political tensions, party rivalries and legal battles have continued to shadow her journey, raising questions about her long-term political prospects.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s personal life has been as eventful as her political career. Her marriage to businessman and politician Emmanuel Uduaghan brought her further into the political limelight, merging her Kogi-Central roots with Delta State’s political landscape. Their union, marked by public displays of affection and mutual political aspirations, sparked both admiration and controversy. Supporters viewed her love story as an inspiring blend of romance and politics, while critics speculated on the strategic implications of her marriage. Regardless, she maintained that love and family remained central to her drive for success.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s journey may be a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. While she achieved groundbreaking success in politics and advocacy, the challenges she faced—from electoral disputes to political machinations—have shaped the trajectory of her career. Whether her influence in Nigerian politics will endure or fade remains an open question. However, one thing is certain: she has already etched her name in history as a woman who dared to challenge the status quo.
The events of February 20 in the Senate chamber unleashed a firestorm across the country and internationally. The day had started with the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, reporting to the Senate that the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had refused to accept a new seat allocated to her. Akpoti-Uduaghan had sought to explain her rejection of the seat. Citing order 10 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023, as amended, she claimed that her privilege was breeched.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio, however, thought otherwise. Akpabio said he would not recognise her to speak until she relocated to and speak from her new seat. The insistence of Akpoti Uduaghan to continue her speech amid raised voices caused commotion and led to a near open confrontation with the presiding officer. However, it was like the melee let out a dangerous genie from the vestibule of the Senate chamber which has refused to be placated.
Shortly after that, Natasha went to court, claiming N100 billion from Akpabio for alleged defamation. She claimed that a Facebook post by Akpabio’s aide, Mfom Patrick, after the incident in the chamber ‘sexualized’ her and vowed to go down fighting.
The Senate had the same Tuesday referred the incident at plenary to its committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for investigation. But in the midst of this, Natasha appeared on an Arise TV morning show claiming that Akpabio had been frustrating her legislative duties because she rebuffed his alleged sexual advances. But Akpabio’s wife, Nnoma, would not have any of Natasha’s allegation, hence she dragged the Senator before the Federal High Court, claiming N251 billion for defamation.
Following the allegation, pro-Natasha protesters gathered at the National Assembly gate on Monday, calling on Akpabio to step down to allow for an unbiased investigation of the allegation of sexual harassment raised by her. She also secured an injunction stopping the Ethics committee from probing her alleged misconduct during plenary. The following day, Natasha brought a petition concerning her sexual harassment claims to the chamber. The other senators, however, kicked against it, saying it was against their rules for a Senator to present a petition authored by him or herself.
The Ethics Committee, which threw out Natasha’s sexual harassment petition, however found her liable of misconduct upon which she was suspended for six months with other conditionalities.
On the same day, Natasha had submitted another petition still on sexual harassment claiming it was signed by one of her constituents. This petition is yet to be considered by the Senate. However, two weeks after, precisely on Wednesday, March 12, Senator Akpabio announced a minor shakeup in the chairmanship of the Senate Standing Committees and the creation of new ones.
Senators Natasha, Orji Uzor Kalu and Abdul Ningi, among others, were affected in the new arrangement. Akpabio appointed Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (APC – Delta South) as the new chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content formerly chaired by Natasha and reassigned her to the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs.
Parentage and upbringing
Natasha, according to information on her website at www.natashaakpoti.com, was born on Sunday, December 9, 1979 at the Maternity Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State (now University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital). She is the second of four children and only daughter of a Nigerian father and a Ukrainian mother. Her mother, Ludmila Kravchenko, was born in Rakitna in the region of Chernivtsi in Ukraine, while her father, Dr. Jimoh Abdul Akpoti, was born in Obeiba-Ihima, Kogi State (then Kwara State).
Natasha’s parents had met in the then Soviet Union where her father was a foreign medical student on scholarship at the Bolomolets Medical University, Ukraine.
She spent her early years as a child growing up and being educated in her native communities – Okehi, Okene, Adavi and Ajaokuta towns. Her most fascinating moments during her upbringing, she said, were lessons of philanthropy and empathy for humanity that her father (who died on November 3, 1998) taught by practically treating the poor for free, paying tuition for thousands of school children, supporting hundreds of local farmers and traders with their businesses and so much more.
“Father came home one day looking pale and faint after donating two pints of blood to patients who couldn’t afford any. That moment defined my belief that helping the poor should hurt and it formed my rhetoric rationale on becoming a social entrepreneur,” she said.
Recalling her early childhood, Natasha loved cheering the colourful masquerades known as ‘Eku’ in her local Ebira dialect. She loathed being called Oyinbo pepper (the white one) by people of her community. “I knew my mother had a complexion different from everyone around us. She was white. However, I didn’t think I was any different from the children I played with barefoot in my village… but I surely hated being followed and teased Oyinbo by the children whenever I expressed a different point of view,” she said.
Till date, Natasha experiences social sensitivities towards her multiracial heritage.
Education
Natasha attended Christ the King Nursery and Primary School, Okene, Kogi State for six years to obtain her primary school certificate. At the school she held the post of social prefect and was acknowledged in her testimonial to be very quiet, hardworking and responsible.
Natasha had her Junior Secondary education at the Government Girls Unity Secondary School, Oboroke, Kogi State after which she proceeded to the Federal Government College Idoani, Ondo State for her Senior Secondary School. Her exceptional academic and personal performances earned her the leadership position of Head Girl.
She graduated in 1997, with the school authorities acknowledging her as being “responsible, hardworking and a diligent prefect” in her school leaving testimonial.
However, barely three weeks after losing her father, Natasha gained admission into the University of Abuja to obtain her Bachelor of Law. A week later, she got married at the tender age of 19 and had her first son Daniel months after. Natasha recalled her university years as those where she learnt that “the fragility of innocence attracted mercilessly the world’s monsters.”
In 2004, Natasha proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja and was called to the Nigerian Bar by the Body of Benchers on the 8th November 2005.
In 2012, Natasha bagged a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Dundee in Scotland, UK. The knowledge she gained from the course later shaped her advocacy for the resuscitation of the Nigeria’s Steel sector with focus on the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Complex in Kogi State.
According to Natasha, her “decision to become a social entrepreneur and reformer in 2015 was born out of innate passion to position Nigeria on the fore of industrialization and judiciously harness the vast natural and human resources all in a bid to create employment and eradicate poverty in Nigeria.”
Love and family life
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is married to High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom. Their union has been celebrated as a blend of cultural diversity and mutual respect. Although the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi claimed during a show on the television that Natasha has six children from six different men, our investigation revealed that she has four children (one boy from her first husband, a boy and a girl from her second husband and another boy for High Chief Uduaghan, her present husband.
According to a media report, Natasha and Uduaghan dated for a while before they decided to get married.
“Before then, the wealthy businessman spoiled her silly with some of the best things that money can buy, including financing her political campaign for the 2019 governorship election in Kogi State and gifting her with a white Rolls-Royce car. Even her three children benefitted from his generosity,” the report added.
High Chief Uduaghan, cousin of two past governors of Delta State, Chief James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, is also the Chief Executive Officer of Webster Group of companies. He was crowned Alema of Warri Kingdom in a grand ceremony held in 2017 reportedly in recognition of his love for the Itsekiris and contribution to the welfare of the people in terms of poverty alleviation and youth empowerment. Despite her public life being under scrutiny, Natasha has maintained a relatively private approach to her family life.
Foray into politics
Natasha ventured into politics in 2019, contesting for the Kogi Central Senatorial District seat under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Although she lost to APC candidate, Yakubu Oseni, she demonstrated resilience by running for Governor of Kogi State on November 16 of same year. However, she lost to ex-Governor Yahaya Bello from whom she endured a lot of frustration politically.
In 2023, Natasha joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and contested again for the Kogi Central Senatorial District seat. Despite facing challenges such as alleged electoral interference by the Kogi State Government, Natasha won after a rigorous legal battle. The election tribunal declared her winner on September 6, 2023, nullifying her opponent’s victory. Her triumph was further affirmed by the Court of Appeal.
Achievements
Natasha has numerous achievements to her credit, among which are: The first Ebira woman to be recognised with the African Women Leadership Award by Mrs. Jewel Taylor, who served as the 30th vice president of Liberia from 2018 – 2024, first Ebira woman to float NGO of international standard to take care of the aged ones and over 600 under-privileged children and orphans which earned her so many awards across the world, first Ebira Woman and indeed first Nigerian non-engineer to receive the presidential award from the Nigerian Society of Engineers on December 2017 for her efforts on Ajaokuta Steel’s revival, first Ebira woman to be elected as Senator and THISDAY Newspaper Senator of the year 2024.
As a senator, Natasha focused on infrastructure development and healthcare initiatives. In 2024, she commissioned road networks and classroom blocks at Abdul Azeez Memorial College in Okene, oversaw solar-powered water systems across 300 locations and initiated healthcare outreach programmes and rehabilitated primary health centres and a police station. She boasts of a strong social media presence with over 370,000 followers on Facebook alone.
Controversies and accusations
Natasha’s allegation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio had sparked political turmoil within the Senate and led to investigation by the Ethics Committee.
A former presidential media aide, Reno Omokri, had shared a throwback video of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accusing him of sexual harassment. The resurfaced video came just days after the Kogi senator made a similar allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Omokri posted the video on his Facebook page on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
The footage, originally recorded on October 12, 2021, showed Akpoti-Uduaghan making the accusation while campaigning for the Kogi State governorship under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In the video, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Omokri sexually harassed her on May 6, 2014, during a state banquet at Aso Rock Presidential Villa, hosted by then-President Goodluck Jonathan for visiting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
She also rejected Omokri’s defence that he was not in the country on the date in question. She also called on the Nigerian immigration Service to probe Omokri’s claims that he was not in the country at the time.
But Omokri, in a rebuttal, said President Jonathan sent him to the United States as a special envoy to try to clean up Nigeria’s image after the Chibok girls’ crisis.
He said: “On Tuesday, 12 October 2021, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had a dispute with me, and after the dispute, she went on social media and accused me of sexually harassing her. Now, the thing is, a month before, the Chibok girls were abducted, as one of the president’s spokespersons, Goodluck Jonathan sent me to the United States as a special envoy to try to clean up Nigeria’s image.
“I left in April and was back in Nigeria until the end of May. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan lied. So what I did was I went on social media and published my passport stamps with my passport leaving Nigeria and then entering the United States showing the stamp. I also published a first-class British Airway ticket showing that I left Nigeria for the United Kingdom and from there to the United States. I wasn’t in Nigeria until Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused me.”
Omokri noted that after he published his evidence in national dailies, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan deleted all her accusations across all her social media handles.
“She had made a video insulting me, my wife and my newborn daughter; she also deleted that. The next day, I got a phone call from a prominent Christian clergyman who said they felt that, as a fellow pastor, I’d listen to a member of the body of Christ. The senior member of the body of Christ called me on three ways with Emmanuel Uduaghan, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s present husband.
“They appealed to me and quoted scriptural references about Christians taking each other to court. I listened to them and settled the matter out of court, and I was paid a large amount of money as damages, and I let the matter go”, Omokri said.
Suspension
Her tenure became increasingly contentious following disputes over sitting arrangements and other procedural issues. The Senate Ethics Committee recommended her suspension for six months on charges of breaching Senate rules and bringing disrepute to the chamber.
Alongside this suspension came penalties such as withdrawal of salary, allowances, legislative aides’ benefits and security escorts.
Natasha condemned these actions as politically motivated attempts to silence her advocacy for justice. She vowed to challenge what she described as an abuse of power and injustice.
But how far can she go in this battle to reverse the decision of the Senate. Her cause seems to be favoured by the opinion in some quarters that the Senate does not have the legal power to suspend her for six months.
Will the Senate reverse its decision and recall the embattled Senator or will she be made to serve out the term? Only time will tell.
Provide evidence or drop allegations against Akpabio, Adeyanju tells Natasha
Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, called on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) to present concrete evidence to back her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Adeyanju stated that without verifiable proof, Nigerians should not dwell on the matter.
He urged the public to focus on more pressing issues, such as the Tax Reform Bill and its potential impact on low- and middle-income earners.
According to him, solid evidence would lend credibility to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims and warrant public scrutiny of Akpabio’s actions.
However, without such proof, the allegations remain unsubstantiated.
Adeyanju also argued that the controversy had been overflogged and should be resolved in court.
He criticised the selective outrage over the issue, noting that there was little public reaction when lawmakers received luxury cars and budgetary allocations.
According to him, “the matter has been over-flogged. I believe that the parties should go to court and resolve their dispute. We should focus on Nigeria’s Tax Reform Bill and explore ways to galvanize opposition against its passage, as that is more important than this internal issue.”
He also questioned why the same senators now engaged in the dispute did not oppose the anti-people policies of the current administration.
A group, FixPolitics, has decried the six-month suspension of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which were dismissed by the Senate’s ethics committee on procedural grounds.
In a statement, the group’s Executive Director, Anthony Ubani,noted that the Senate through imposing the suspension under the pretext of rule violations, has not only silenced Akpoti-Uduaghan but disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central, depriving them of their constitutional right to representation.
He said the senator’s suspension highlights the systemic barriers and entrenched misogyny that Nigerian women face in politics and society at large.
The statement read in part: “Female representation in the Senate has plummeted by nearly 50%—from seven women in the 9th Assembly to just four in the 10th Assembly. This decision sets a dangerous precedent that could further discourage women from political participation and silence victims of harassment.
By imposing this suspension under the pretext of rule violations, the Senate has not only silenced Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan but has also disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central, depriving them of their constitutional right to representation.
“This action blatantly disregards judicial precedents, including Senator Ali Ndume v. Senate of Nigeria (2018) and Senator Dino Melaye v. Senate of Nigeria (2016), which affirm that lawmakers cannot be suspended in ways that strip their constituents of representation.
“The Senate’s repeated defiance of these rulings raises serious concerns about its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative processes. Beyond undermining democratic principles, this punitive measure also calls into question the institution’s willingness to address misconduct within its ranks.
“ Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension highlights the systemic barriers and entrenched misogyny that Nigerian women face in politics and society at large.
“The unconstitutional removal of a duly elected legislator denies constituents their fundamental right to representation in the National Assembly. In this case, an entire senatorial district in Kogi State is being disenfranchised—an outcome that contradicts both the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The Senate, as Nigeria’s highest law making body, must uphold the rule of law rather than continuously flout court rulings that protect the rights of elected representatives and their constituents.
“FixPolitics unequivocally condemns the Senate’s actions and demands the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
We call on the Senate to uphold justice, transparency, and accountability by ensuring that allegations of this nature are investigated thoroughly and impartially—free from internal biases and procedural technicalities.”
In recent weeks , Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has embarked on a calculated campaign to tarnish the reputation of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and undermine the credibility of the 10th Senate. Her tactics, which include baseless accusations, character assassination, and the manipulation of facts, have not only raised eyebrows but also cast a shadow over the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative arm. This article seeks to expose the unsavoury methods employed by Senator Natasha in her quest to drag the Senate President and the institution of the Senate into disrepute.
One of the most egregious tactics employed by Senator Natasha is her repeated accusation of sexual harassment against the Senate President. These allegations, which she has echoed in the media and public forums, are not only damaging but also lack any substantive evidence. Despite the gravity of such claims, Senator Natasha has failed to provide even the tiniest shred of proof to substantiate her accusations. This raises serious questions about her motives and the credibility of her claims.
In a society where allegations of sexual harassment are taken seriously and can have far-reaching consequences, it is irresponsible and unethical to make such claims without evidence. By doing so, Senator Natasha not only undermines the fight against genuine cases of harassment but also weaponizes serious societal issues for personal and political gain. Her actions are a disservice to the very cause she claims to champion.
Another example of Senator Natasha’s manipulative tactics is her distortion of the circumstances surrounding her suspension from the Senate. Contrary to her claims, her suspension was a direct result of her disorderly conduct on the floor of the Senate, a fact that has been well-documented. However, Senator Natasha has chosen to twist this narrative, falsely asserting that she was suspended for making allegations against the Senate President.
This deliberate misrepresentation of facts is a classic example of how Senator Natasha seeks to portray herself as a victim while deflecting attention from her own misconduct. By framing her suspension as an act of political victimization, she attempts to garner public sympathy and divert scrutiny from her actions. This tactic is not only dishonest but also undermines the integrity of the Senate’s disciplinary processes.
Senator Natasha’s recent actions are not an isolated incident but rather part of a pattern of behavior. In 2014, she accused Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, of making inappropriate advances during a visit to the Presidential Villa. However, Omokri vehemently denied these allegations and provided irrefutable evidence to prove that he was not even in the country on the date in question. This incident serves as a stark reminder of Senator Natasha’s propensity for making unsubstantiated claims to further her agenda.
One can only speculate on the motivations driving Senator Natasha’s campaign of blackmail and character assassination. However, it is not unreasonable to assume that her objective is to elevate her own political standing by tearing others down. In a political landscape where public perception often shapes success, Senator Natasha appears to have chosen the path of destruction rather than constructive engagement.
Her actions, however, come at a great cost. By targeting the Senate President and the institution of the Senate, she not only undermines the credibility of Nigeria’s legislative arm but also erodes public trust in the democratic process. Her tactics are a disservice to the Nigerian people, who deserve leaders committed to integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s campaign of blackmail and character assassination is a dangerous and destructive force in Nigerian politics. Her baseless allegations, manipulation of facts, and history of unsubstantiated accusations reveal a pattern of behavior that is both unethical and damaging. As citizens, we must demand better from our leaders and hold them accountable for their actions. The integrity of our democracy depends on it.
It is time for Senator Natasha to either provide concrete evidence to support her claims or cease her campaign of defamation. The Nigerian people deserve leaders who are committed to truth, justice, and the common good, not those who seek to rise by pulling others down. The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, must remain focused on its mandate to serve the nation, undeterred by the distractions of those who seek to undermine its work.
Ahmed Tijani Ibn Mustapha, Public Affairs analyst | Social commentator
•The row between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is beneath the institution.
The storm in Nigeria’s premier lawmaking chamber concerning the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, should not have happened. At a time when the nation is grappling with cost of living and the woes of lawless young men in the name of bandits, the Senate ought to be immersed in ideas and legislations that would help the executive branch to lift the country.
Rather, we are witnessing a descent into indecency. Two matters have arisen in the past couple of weeks.
One, the senate president and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan created an ugly scene when Senator Akpabio refused to accept any motion from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over subsisting house rules. The rule in question requires a senator to speak on the floor of the house only from their designated seat.
The second was the petition of sexual
harassment made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the senate president.
The latest of the matter was the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
The most worrying of this drama is that more important matters have taken a back seat in the social media, breakfast, lunch and dinner discussions, while the major media outlets, both print and electronic, have generated a feeding frenzy over this turn of events.
The house rules aspect of this theatre has unfortunately been submerged as the imagination of the public has turned
prurient and yielded to scandal instead of law. The allegation of sexual misconduct is a very crucial matter and should never have been kicked aside when it involves a woman and a powerful man. Yet, we should never allow it to detract from our sobriety of judgment.
What Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has thrown out is as yet an allegation, but a serious one. She has said she has concrete evidence and that should have led to a clear picture in her lights. But when the senate instituted a panel and
gave her an opportunity to state her side of the story, she did not appear. That has not helped her case, and it shows she did not hold the institution of the senate in high esteem.
She did not take the senate president to court on the sexual harassment issue, and that means she ought to have shown respect to her colleagues. She did not. Sexual harassment issues ought to attract our attention but only when we have evidence.
This makes the main issue her act of misconduct. As a lawmaker, she ought to understand the value of due process and order. The senate president has the right to reshuffle the sitting arrangement in the chamber after a defection occurs. She ought to have acceded to the reshuffle. She did not.
She was also accused on the floor of not respecting the institution of the senate by talking it down in interviews on radio and television. This is out of taste and a breach of decorum.
Yet, we believe that the leadership of the senate went into haste in slamming a suspension on her, especially when she had gone to court to restrain the institution. There was no need also for a
six-month hiatus on her career. The last person to raise dust in the senate was Senator Ndume, and he returned after two weeks. We hope that the six months verdict is a pie in the sky, and the woman would return to her duties as a lawmaker in short order.
She represents a constituency, and suspending a lawmaker amounts to shutting out a community from our democracy. We believe, too, that she is one of a few female lawmakers and the optics of a female lawmaker in such a tiff is not good for democracy.
We expect that the matter would be resolved soon and the august lawmaking body can return to the job the Nigerian people put them there to perform.
Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is arguably the most popular senator in the country as I write this piece. Of course, some would rather say, the most notorious senator. It all depends on the pundit’s sympathy. Some have referenced her as the biblical Delilah, who was recruited by the Philistines to seduce Samson, in this case, Senate President Goodswill Akpabio, to reveal the source of his strength and die. The more compassionate see her as Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, whom King David, cornered to himself, and then dinned with Uriah, to his death.
Yet others, have out rightly dressed Natasha as Potiphar’s wife, who tried to lure Joseph to her warm embrace, and when he rejected the offer, roped him in as a rapist, and was jailed. For most people, Natasha’s troubles or stardom, started a few weeks ago, over where she must sit, to be heard, in the hallowed chambers of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A directive by the senate leadership to relocate to a new seat, was met by an Amazonian defiance, which rattled the senate, as the social media, dry-cleaned the senate laundry in public.
Rising with poise and defiance, and raising the omnibus Order 10 of the senate rules, on privileges, Senator Natasha, refused all entreaties to move to her newly assigned chair, before she can be heard. As if propelled by forces, far bigger than her delicate frame, she confronted the senate president frontally, ignoring threats of a walkout, by the senate sergeant-at-arms, and declared fearlessly that she cannot be intimidated. Entreaties by colleagues, well-wishers and detractors alike, were brushed aside. Sensing that the senate chamber was turning into a real-time theater, the plenary proceeded, as if nothing happened.
Before the brouhaha, over the sitting arrangement, Senator Natasha was like the rest of other female senators. Only those who followed her fight with the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello (alias the White Lion), to get to the senate, would have taken notice of her. In fairness to Senator Natasha, the way she fought off the “White Lion”, who may have taken that name to scare his opponents showed that she was not a mewing but a ferocious member of the feline family.
That sterner stuff showed on the floor of the senate when what was a mere altercation snowballed into a hurricane, which some quickly predicted would consume the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio. First, Natasha thundered that she would release a bombshell, should Akpabio dare her. Perhaps, not wanting to be discouraged from ‘bombing’ the senate president, Natasha went to a radio and television stations, to allege that Akpabio had harassed her sexually – guess when, in December, 2023.
Like an expectant mother, Natasha must have gone home to her beloved husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, expecting an earthquake in the senate, after igniting what she thought was seismic disruptions. Most distinguished senators were neither amused nor scared, of what they considered the antics of a derailed member. Citing several orders from their red book, they were nearly unanimous that Natasha has brought the senate to disrepute, and violated the privileges of other senators. Natasha was quickly referred to the committee on ethics and privileges.
Her spirited effort to deflate the matter, through an action for defamation, against the senate president, based on statements made by his aides, could not detract the guns aimed at her. Of course, whether defamatory suit is an action in persona or in rem, is a matter for the courts to determination. Again, a petition to the senate, alleging sexual harassment against the senate president, which apparently was intended to force Akpabio to surrender his presidency, while the matter is investigated, fell through on the premise that a senator cannot sign a petition to be presented to the senate for adjudication.
While seeking the intervention of the senate to investigate her petition, against Akpabio, Natasha refused to submit to the senate committee, she was referred to, following her tantrums in the chambers, and the subsequent radio and television interviews. Expectedly, the senate committee reached a verdict, that Natasha should be suspended for six months, and her allowances and security details withdrawn. The committee added that the punishment can only be rescinded if she offers a written apology to her colleagues. Meanwhile Akpabio’s wife has gone to court, claiming that Natasha defamed her and her children, while Natasha’s husband is strongly defending the wife in the public space.
In the midst of these imbroglio, some pundits are wondering what is driving Natasha, in her quest to bomb Akpabio out of his exalted senate seat? Could it be the alleged incidence of holding her hand in December 2023, and proposing in a hush tone, while the husband is answering a call, an adulterous return to Akpabio’s den sometime in the future? Or could it be the removal from her plum senate committee chair on local content, obviously well after the alleged invitation to an adulterous treat, failed?
Could the answers lie in the questions raised in the midnight call by the senate majority leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, querying what Natasha would gain, from bringing Akpabio down, from his exalted seat. Exploring that theme, could it be that Natasha is a whip in the hands of Akpabio’s detractors, wishing to bring him down? Is there a chance that Natasha is recruited like Delilah, in the Biblical story, to bring Akpabio down? Or worse still, Potiphar’s wife? Conversely, could she be like the wife of Uriah, whom King David coveted and adulterously converted to his own?
Delilah, was a beautiful Philistine woman, whom Samson loved, against good reasoning. She was recruited to entrap Samson, to reveal his source of strength, and swayed by her beauty, Samson revealed his secret and eventually brought the roof down on himself and his enemies. According to Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Natasha has received more privileges in the senate than her. So, what changed. Recall, that the senate president had within weeks of Natasha’s entrance, as a rookie senator, made her the chairman of a committee considered plum.
Chief Uduaghan, is(was) clearly a good friend of Senator Akpabio, and the family relationship precedes Natasha’s emergence, as a senator. If that friendship played a part in Natasha’s rise in the senate, is it playing a part in her troubles? And will it play a part in its denouement? Some women pressure groups are threatening fire and brimstone against Senator Akpabio and the senate, should the senate fail to recall Senator Natasha from the six-month’s suspension handed her, by the senate. Part of their grievance is that Senator Akpabio, cannot be a judge in his own cause. Will Natasha play by the senate rules and mend her part, or will she fight on from outside, as many are baiting her?
Former presidential media aide, Reno Omokri, has shared a throwback video of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accusing him of sexual harassment.
The resurfaced video comes just days after the Kogi senator made a similar allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Omokri posted the video on his Facebook page on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
The footage, originally recorded on October 12, 2021, shows Akpoti-Uduaghan making the accusation while campaigning for the Kogi State governorship under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In the video, Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that Omokri sexually harassed her on May 6, 2014, during a state banquet at Aso Rock Presidential Villa, hosted by then-President Goodluck Jonathan for visiting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
She also refuted Omokri’s defense that he was not in the country on the date in question.
She also called on the Nigerian immigration Service to probe Omokri’s claims that he was not in the country at the time.
But Omokri, in a rebuttal, said President Jonathan sent him to the United States as a special envoy to try to clean up Nigeria’s image after the Chibok girls saga.
“I was not in Nigeria throughout the time when Natasha Akpoti accused me. So she obviously lied.
“After newspapers published my evidence, Natasha deleted all traces of her accusation. She deleted everything. She had made a video insulting me, my wife, and my newborn daughter. She also deleted that,” Omokri stated.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation traumatised him and the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday suspended for six months by the Senate over alleged misconduct and breach of relevant standing orders.
She however said the suspension which she described as an injustice would not be sustained.
Akpabio described the allegation as “useless” saying it was prompted by a change in her seat within the Red Chamber and her reassignment to another committee.
He also claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, had traumatized him and other Senators with her useless accusations.
Speaking at an event commemorating International Women’s Day in Abuja, Akpabio maintained his innocence and suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims were motivated by her committee reassignment and seat re-allocation.
Akpabio said: “It was only yesterday that I realised that what we are talking about only happened when there was a change of seat.
“That is when hell was let loose, and all sorts of allegations came up – only after the change of seat and change of committee, which my Senators know happens from time to time.”
Referring to the timeline of events, he added: “This is said to have happened on December 8, a day before my birthday, which was celebrated in the stadium in 2023.
“So from December 8, 2023, I never heard, my wife never heard, no Nigerian ever heard, even her husband never heard any issue of sexual harassment – until her committee was changed, and then her seat was changed.”
Akpabio further questioned the veracity of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, stating that none of her past accusations had been proven.
“Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman to the other people she has accused in the past?
“None has been proven so far. Do you even wonder about the trauma this caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations? I have refrained from making a statement.”
Addressing the audience at the event, Akpabio pointed to the women present and remarked, “Look at these beautiful women. They have come across me so many times. Have I ever harassed any one of you? Or is the person thinking that you are not beautiful?
