What Akpabio said about my waist movement- Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio repeatedly made inappropriate and suggestive comments toward her, both within and outside the Senate chambers.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 over what was described as “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” following a dispute over seating arrangements with Akpabio. However, her suspension occurred just a day after she formally submitted a sexual harassment petition against the Senate President.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, she claimed the allegations of misconduct were an attempt to silence her. She alleged that Akpabio frequently made unwarranted advances, sometimes in the presence of other senators.

“He would squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” she said.
Recalling a specific instance, she recounted, “There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there. And Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?’”

She also claimed that Akpabio made remarks about her marriage, stating, “There was another time he made a statement like, ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist.’”

“He makes such sexist statements. And then they (other senators) all laughed,” she added.

During the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan became emotional when discussing the impact of her allegations and the backlash she has faced.

“People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa,” she said, her voice breaking.

“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?”

Despite the challenges, she revealed that she has received encouragement from female parliamentarians across Africa, who have reached out to share similar experiences of navigating male-dominated political spaces.