Following the open altercation that took place between the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central, the crack between the duo has further widened and taken a dramatic turn.
The feud between the two senators became prominent last week as a result of the heated argument over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber which Senator Natasha protested against, saying that she deserved the simple courtesy of being informed before her seat could be changed.
As a follow up, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Friday, February 28, 2025, when she featured on Arise Television programme, made a startling allegation against Senator Akpabio, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment.
She further said that her refusal to go to bed with Akpabio formed the reason why he was deliberately attempting to silence her.
The outspoken Senator alleged that the incident occurred on December 8, a day before her birthday, when she and her husband visited Akpabio’s country home in Akwa Ibom.
According to Natasha, Akpabio held her hand and led her around the house while her husband walked behind them, adding that during the tour, Akpabio allegedly asked if she liked the house, to which she responded affirmatively.
She pointedly said that Akpabio then suggested that they should visit the house alone at another time to “have a good time together.”
She further said that her husband later questioned her about what Akpabio had told her, and after initial hesitation, she confided in him about the senator’s remarks.
Natasha also accused Akpabio of frustrating her attempts to push for an investigation into the Ajaokuta Steel Company, saying that she had listed the motion for debate five times, but it was only considered on the sixth attempt.
In her words; “In February, I wanted to move a motion for an investigation into Ajaokuta Steel Company. I listed that motion five times before it finally appeared on the order paper on the sixth attempt.
“When I met Akpabio in his office to stress the importance of the motion to Nigerians, he made a suggestive remark. He said, ‘Natasha, I’m the chief presiding officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me,” she alleged.
Natasha further said that when her motion was finally presented for discussion, Akpabio deliberately walking out.
Apart from Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly speaking out against Akpabio, she equally initiated a suit against Akpabio demanding a staggering N100.3 billion as damages as a result of a breach of her fundamental human rights.
During her interview on Friday, Natasha said that she is in possession of evidence to support her claims, adding that her husband serves as a vital witness to the alleged misconduct.
