Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Alleges Harassment, Faces Recall Effort.
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) has claimed that she endured sexual advances from Senate President Godswill Akpabio for over a year. She made the allegations during an interview with Sky News, stating that her recent suspension was a direct consequence of speaking out.
Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio persistently pressured her to “please him” in order to enjoy the privileges of her office as a senator. She recounted that after formally making her claims public on 5 March 2025, she was suspended the following day for six months. She described the suspension as “illegal and unjust,” asserting that it was meant to silence her.
“I have endured a great deal in silence,” she said. “My refusal to yield to his demands resulted in malice, leading to the deprivation of my rights and privileges as a senator.”
Meanwhile, a section of her constituents in Kogi Central is pushing for her recall. The Ebira community, represented by the Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF), has insisted that the recall process is well underway. The group’s leaders, Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim and Akerejola Johnson, stated that the recall is not politically motivated but rather a response to what they described as an “international embarrassment” caused by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions.
Despite claims by Kogi State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hale Longpet, that he is unaware of any recall proceedings, the forum maintains that the process is legitimate and endorsed by the majority of constituents.
“Our people are largely united in this cause. We cannot trade the integrity of the state for the selfish, juvenile tendencies of a senator,” the group declared.
Addressing concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) role, the group clarified that INEC’s involvement begins only after the required number of signatures has been collected.
While some continue to support Akpoti-Uduaghan’s stance, others within her constituency argue that her actions have brought undue controversy. The debate surrounding her allegations and recall is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
