Natasha: Akpabio faces a chaotic future

• How the parliaments in US, UK treat allegations of sexual harassment against their members

• Why three former Nigeria’s Senate Presidents were impeached or forced to resign

• The 10th Senate may remain stained by this untreated ‘sexual harassment’ saga

• The coming legal fireworks; protests will put Akpabio and his supporters on edge

By Theophilus Abbah, PhD

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, wrestled political Goliaths, whose giant-size and sturdy muzzles had previously demolished and ruined the careers of male political heavy-weights in Kogi State.

With tenacity she trampled and walked over the combined financial strength and the power of incumbency of former Governor Yahaya Bello and marched into the hallowed chamber of the Senate. It was, therefore, indiscretion for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to severally shout her down and treat her with disdain.

First, removing her from being Chair of the Committee on Local Content, and later, threatening her with suspension over sitting arrangement in the Upper Chamber.

Aware that the Senate President wields enormous political and financial powers, Senator Natasha was expected to have bowed her head in silence.

Senate President Akpabio had dealt harshly with Senator Ali Ndume, removing him as Senate Chief Whip, for merely faulting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scorpion-biting policies that spread the venom of hunger, poverty and misery among Nigerians.

The Senate under  Akpabio also suspended Senator Abdul Ningi who alleged that some ‘ghosts’ sprinkled N3.7 trillion into the 2024 Appropriation Act, an amount not attached to scrutinized projects.

In the history of the Nigerian Senate since 1960, Natasha would be the first female lawmaker to stand up to a Senate President, eyeball-to-eyeball, to speak her mind at the top of her voice, like a trained soldier. However, her allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President is difficult to sweep under the proverbial carpet.

In a clear narration, Senator Akpoti chronicled her frustration at having Ajaokuta listed on the Senate’s Order Paper and discussed. She has been copiously quoted as saying, “…On the floor of the Senate, I attempted to raise a motion regarding corrupt practices at the Ajaokuta Steel Company. I listed this motion five times, and it was only on the sixth occasion that it appeared on the order paper. When I approached the Senate President to inquire as to why my motion had been repeatedly stepped down, he told me, ‘Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding Officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.’ At that point, I told him that I would pretend I didn’t hear that. My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”

In the history of the Nigerian Senate since 1960, Natasha would be the first female lawmaker to stand up to a Senate President

In some advanced countries, the Senate, seen as the conscience of the polity, would not condone accusation of sexual harassment against its members. There have been instances where U.S. senators have been accused of sexual harassment. One notable case was that of Senator Al Franken. In 2017, multiple women accused him of inappropriate behavior, including groping and unwanted advances. Franken initially apologized and welcomed an ethics investigation but eventually resigned from the Senate amid mounting pressure.

The US Senate typically handles such cases through its Ethics Committee, which investigates the allegations and determines appropriate actions. In Franken’s case, the Ethics Committee opened a preliminary inquiry, but he resigned before the investigation concluded.

Another example was Senator John Conyers, who faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. He resigned after a series of accusations and a secret settlement with a former staffer was revealed. The US Senate’s response to such allegations often involves a combination of internal investigations, public statements, and, in some cases, the resignation of the accused senator.

In the United Kingdom, similar accusations were not swept under the carpet. There have been instances where UK parliamentarians have been accused of sexual harassment. One notable case was that of Chris Pincher, a Conservative MP. In 2022, he was accused of groping two male colleagues at a London club while intoxicated. This led to his resignation as deputy chief whip. The scandal also put pressure on then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who admitted to making a “bad mistake” in appointing Pincher despite being aware of previous misconduct allegations.

In some advanced countries, the Senate, seen as the conscience of the polity, would not condone accusation of sexual harassment against its members

The House of Commons typically handles such cases through its Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), which was established in 2018 following the “Pestminster” scandal. The ICGS investigates allegations of sexual misconduct and other inappropriate behavior by MPs. The scheme aims to provide a fair and transparent process for addressing complaints and ensuring accountability. In addition to the ICGS, the Women and Equalities Committee of the House of Commons has conducted inquiries into sexual harassment in the workplace, including within Parliament. Their reports have highlighted the need for stronger policies and procedures to address and prevent sexual harassment.

Since Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged sexual harassment against the Senate President, there has been an uncommon silence among the 109 senators, unlike how previous senates would have responded to such weighty allegation against their leader. The allegation of sexual harassment, as made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, was associated with her desire to perform her duty. She wanted the Senate to deliberate on Ajaokuta Steel Company, which has been lying comatose in her senatorial district, in spite of its potential of providing the foundation for Nigeria’s industrialization.

Instead to taking a dispassionate look into the allegations and the issues surrounding it, our senators may have feigned deafness for one of four reasons. First, they may be shocked that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, with the allegation, may be rocking the boat. Secondly, they may doubt her story in totality. Thirdly, the code of ethics of the Senate may not cover issues around moral depravity, where sexual harassment belongs. The fourth reason may border around the fear of the consequences of speaking against the Senate President who holds the knife and the yam, as much as he has the ears of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is disturbing that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party caucuses in the Senate have sealed their lips in the face of such allegation bordering on immorality.

Initially, in spite of the loud outcry about the allegation against Akpabio, the Senate  played the ostrich. Its spokesperson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu’s default and officious response to the question of what the Senate was doing about the allegation, was: “There is presently no formal matter before the Senate regarding these allegations. The only issue before the Senate is Senator Natasha’s non-compliance with the standing orders.”

The spokesman’s face-saving response contradicted the practice in the National Assembly where what is termed as ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’, which is usually not based on petitions, but national debates, are deliberated and referred to appropriate committees. No matter how such issues are defined, an allegation that impugn on the integrity of the leadership of the Senate must be debated and promptly dispensed with, if the Upper Chamber must continue to enjoy the confidence and respect of the Nigerian people.

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Natasha formally submitted a petition against the Senate President, alleging sexual harassment. Her petition was dismissed on a lame excuse that the senate rules had not space for any senator to submit a petition on any issue that affects him or her.  But the next day, Thursday, March 6, 2025, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read out a statement suspending Natasha from the Senate for six months.

Photo credit: Online

He said, “That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended) for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium… For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate.” However, defiant Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan told her colleagues that “this injustice would not be sustained.”

Three previous Senate Presidents have been impeached for not-so-scandalous allegations. Evan Enwerem, the former Senate President of Nigeria, was impeached in 1999 due to allegations of falsifying his name and personal data. The controversy revolved around whether his name was “Evan” or “Evans,” which led to a major political scandal. Chuba Okadigbo, the Senate President who succeeded Enwerem in 1999 was impeached in 2000 due to allegations of corruption and gross abuse of public office. The accusations included unauthorized purchases, personal enrichment, and flagrant disregard of rules. The impeachment vote passed with 81 votes in favour and 14 against. Okadigbo protested his innocence but ultimately stepped aside to allow the debate on the corruption allegations to proceed. Senate President Adolphus Wabara (from 2003 – 2005) was removed as Senate President in 2005 due to allegations of corruption. He was accused of accepting a bribe of ₦55 million from the then Minister of Education, Fabian Osuji, to influence the budget allocation for the education sector. This scandal led to his resignation from the position.

The spokesman’s face-saving response contradicted the practice in the National Assembly

In all the cases mentioned above, none attracted such a national outburst like the case between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio. Even if sexual harassment is not listed among the ethical issues that would be traditionally investigated by the Rules and Ethics Committee, the moral question in the saga deserves attention.

The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has exposed the Senate to weeks and months of attacks from civil society organizations

In launching the Senate’s Code of Ethics in  2015, former Senate President Bukola Saraki had told his colleagues in the 8th Senate that  “You [they] must take care that you do not bring any ethical question upon this hallowed chamber. Any … member found in any unethical, doubtful behaviour will be sanctioned by the Eighth Senate.”

The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has exposed the Senate to weeks and months of attacks from civil society organizations who perceived the treatment meted out to the Kogi Central senator as unfair and unjust. It will also not quench the legal fireworks that will distract the Senate and its leadership.

But worst of all, the sexual harassment saga is a dent on the image of this Senate; it may become a major incident of reference for the 10th Senate, long after Senate President Akpabio’s tenure rolls into history.