Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of treating her like a domestic servant during her time in the National Assembly.
Natasha, who spoke to journalists in her office on Tuesday shortly after it was reopened by the sergeant-at-arms following her six-month suspension, described her ordeal as a test of survival.
Why She Was Suspended
The senator was suspended after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation she has yet to substantiate. Despite her suspension, Natasha insisted she never relented in discharging her duties to her constituents.
Natasha’s Statement
Reflecting on the experience, she said:
“From the unjust suspension to the recall, we survived the blockade of roads, we survived the blackmail from the crazy lady on Facebook, it’s amazing what we had to survive.
I give God Almighty the glory and my deepest appreciation to the good people of Kogi Central senatorial district, Nigerians at large, and to my husband. I pray all men support their wives like you have supported me.
Sometimes, it’s good to put the institutions to the test, we can’t cower in the face of injustice, no one is more Nigerian than us.
Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am, he is not the governor of this place and he treated me as if I was his servant or domestic staff in his house.
It’s very unfortunate that at this time after so many years of democracy we will have a National Assembly being run by such dictatorship, it’s totally unacceptable.
She added that despite her “illegal suspension,” she had continued to serve the people of Kogi Central “to the very best of her capacity.”
Looking Ahead
Natasha’s remarks highlight renewed tensions within the National Assembly, with her return setting the stage for what could be another round of political battles between her and Senate leadership.
