A Nigerian senator has made headlines after alleging that she faced sexual harassment from one of the country’s top political figures. In a recent interview with the BBC, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan described the Nigerian Senate as operating like a "cult."


Just two weeks ago, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months after she filed a petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of harassment—claims he has vehemently denied. The drama surrounding this situation has ignited discussions about gender equality in a country known for its conservative values.


In her interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed that she is being punished for daring to speak out, and she now fears for her safety and that of her two-year-old child after her security detail was withdrawn.


She stated, “The Nigerian Senate operates like a cult. The Senate president runs it like a dictator, not a democrat. There’s little room for freedom of speech, and anyone who challenges him gets pushed down.” This was her first TV appearance since the suspension.


In response, Senate's Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwebonyi said that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of being silenced are unfounded and that her legislative actions contradict her statements.


Akpoti-Uduaghan is a representative of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and alleges that the harassment began in 2023 during a visit to Akpabio's private residence. She recalled an incident where Akpabio “squeezed her hand suggestively” and made comments implying that they would have a “good moment” together.


Nwebonyi, who was also present during the visit, dismissed her claims, stating that there were no unwanted advances made by Akpabio. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan insists that the harassment persisted over several months and recounted further inappropriate remarks made by the Senate president.



Her accusations have been met with mixed reactions in Nigeria, a nation notably lagging in female parliamentary representation. With only four women in a 109-member Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan is the first female senator from her state.


Her petition against Akpabio was dismissed due to "procedural errors," leading to her suspension based on what was described as “unruly and disruptive” behavior in the Senate.


Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan lost her security detail. She voiced her fears about personal safety, pondering the risks of simply taking her child for a walk. 


Civil society groups have raised alarms over the way Akpoti-Uduaghan has been treated and are calling for a thorough investigation into her allegations. Women’s rights activist Hadiza Ado remarked on the unfortunate implications of Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension, highlighting the plight of women in Nigeria’s political landscape.


While some public sentiment supports her, Akpoti-Uduaghan has also faced backlash and misogynistic abuse on social media since making her allegations. Protests erupted near the parliament in Abuja, with groups either supporting the Senate president or calling for him to resign.


This situation adds to the challenges Akpoti-Uduaghan has experienced in her political career, which has been tumultuous from the start. She previously faced significant opposition in her bid for the Kogi state governorship in 2019, where her mixed-race heritage was a contention point.


Although she initially lost her Senate seat in 2023, her legal appeals led to an overturned election result due to violence during the polls. Akpoti-Uduaghan reflected on the ongoing struggles women face in politics, stating, “I thought the worst was over with the elections, but for a woman, it’s never really over. It’s just different chapters.”


Now, she is taking legal action to challenge her suspension and plans to file her harassment allegations again. Despite the emotional stress, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains steadfast, feeling supported by her husband as she navigates this complex landscape.