On Friday, February 28, Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been vocal about her alleged unfair treatment in the Senate, left us all in shock when she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexually harassing her.
Many concerned Nigerians have been waiting to hear Akpabio’s side of the story since then, but the senate president didn’t debunk Natasha’s claims till Wednesday, March 5.
From defamation lawsuits to calls for apologies, here’s a timeline of all the major events that have raised questions about the Senate’s approach towards Natasha’s claims since the news became public.
February 28: Senator Ireti Dismisses Natasha’s claims
Senator Ireti Kingibe has weighed on the controversy surrounding Senator Natasha sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio, denying any direct knowledge of misconduct. In an interview with ARISE NEWS, Kingibe stated that neither she nor the other female senators had experienced harassment, adding that Akpoti-Uduaghan “never discussed it with us.”
Kingibe also claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan had received more privileges than the other female senators, saying, “To be honest, Senator Natasha has gotten the most privilege of all the four of us.” Defending Akpabio’s leadership, Kingibe noted that while the Senate is “not gender-friendly,” she has seen improvements. She also expressed disappointment that Akpoti-Uduaghan ignored her calls after the incident, claiming she even reached out to her husband, who said she was in Singapore.
March 1: Defamation suit against Natasha by Akpabio’s wife
Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s wife, Ekaette Akpabio, sued Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for defamation over her sexual harassment claims against her husband.
She filed two lawsuits at the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding ₦350 billion in damages, arguing that the allegations have harmed her family’s reputation and caused them emotional distress. Mrs Akpabio also wants the court to declare Natasha’s claims defamatory, stop her from making further statements, and force her to issue a public apology in national newspapers.
March 4: CAN speaks against calls for Akpabio’s resignation
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for caution in handling the sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio. While some Nigerians are calling for his resignation, CAN argues that it is too soon to take such action without concrete evidence.
Reverend Joseph Hayab, the chairman of CAN in Northern Nigeria, described the situation as unfortunate and called for respected elders to intervene. He warned against taking sides and stressed the need for a responsible and peaceful resolution. CAN also urged the media to avoid sensationalism and advised lawmakers to focus on more pressing national issues.
March 4: Call for an independent investigation into Natasha’s claims
On Tuesday, March 4, a women’s rights group, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), called for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down so an independent investigation can be carried out on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegations.
The group accused the Senate of sidelining female lawmakers and warned that ignoring Natasha’s claims would only encourage more abuse of power. They also pointed out that this isn’t the first time Akpabio has faced such accusations and urged the Senate to take them seriously. VIEW demanded fair treatment for Natasha and called for changes to Senate rules to protect female lawmakers.
March 5: Call for an apology from Akpabio supporters
On March 5, a group of women gathered at the National Assembly to protest against Natasha’s sexual harassment claims and “serial blackmailing”, claiming that Akpabio treated her like a daughter and friend. They also demanded that Natasha apologize to the senate president for making those allegations.
March 5: Allegation dismissal from Senator Imasuen
Senator Neda Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics (the committee in charge of investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims), also dismissed her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In an interview on March 5, Imasuen insisted no female senator had complained of misconduct and suggested that Senator Natasha misinterpreted any perceived familiarity in the Senate.
March 5: Resistance to Natasha’s sexual harassment petition in the Senate
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan tried to submit a petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment on March 5, but other senators shut it down. While Akpabio initially allowed her to speak, Senate leaders quickly objected, claiming the issue was already in court—a claim Natasha denied. A heated argument broke out, and the Senate went into a closed session. When they returned, they moved on without addressing her petition, leading Natasha to leave the Senate building.
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