Suspended Senator Natasha Accuses Senate President Akpabio of Targeted Persecution
Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of using his position to carry out a personal vendetta against her. Speaking to reporters outside the National Assembly on Tuesday, she described the process behind her suspension as both unjust and unconstitutional.
Natasha, who was prevented from returning to plenary, maintained that she remains the elected representative of her people and has every right to occupy her seat in the Senate. She referenced a ruling by Justice Binta Nyako, which deemed her suspension unlawful and excessive, highlighting that denying her access to plenary violates both her rights and those of her constituents.
“The report that got me suspended was nothing more than a photocopied attendance list,” she said. “There was no legitimate foundation to begin with.”
She also pointed out that her suspension came just a day after she submitted a petition against Akpabio over alleged sexual harassment, suggesting the move was retaliatory. Natasha said the timing, along with a string of attacks and threats, showed clear signs of a political witch-hunt.
“This isn’t just a suspension—it’s persecution,” she added. “Why the recall campaign? Why the threats? Why all this hostility from one man?”
Natasha didn’t stop there. She slammed the current Senate leadership as oppressive, claiming many lawmakers are afraid to speak freely.
“When I spoke up, it wasn’t anger—it was the voice of someone who has endured a full year of institutional bullying. This isn’t how democracy should work.”
She also addressed the two federal cases hanging over her name, calling them baseless and part of a broader plan to silence her. “I’m not facing trial for any criminal acts. But those testifying against me have been linked to looted funds. If the system worked, they wouldn’t be walking free.”
Despite the roadblocks, Natasha says she’s not backing down. She plans to challenge the Senate’s decision with her legal team and may seek further court intervention.
“This isn’t just about me,” she emphasized. “It’s about representation, about justice, and about every woman who dares to speak up. I’m standing firm—not just for myself, but for every voice that deserves to be heard.”
