When Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, caused a stir on February 20, over a sitting position during plenary, accusing the Senate President Godswill Akpabio of abusing his office and obstructing her legislative duties, nobody knew she had loaded bullets in her designer’s handbag. Few days later, she went public in an interview with Arise TV, and unleashed a swirl of sexual misconduct allegations against Akpabio. Akpabio has admitted that the allegations traumatised him. He may have brought this upon himself. Nonetheless, since Natasha went public with her allegations, both lawmakers have been on national spotlight. Every passing day, the scandal has taken a messy dimension, culminating in her suspension last Thursday for a period of six months. That means that she will not get her salary and other entitlements as a senator, and should not be seen within the precincts of the National Assembly. She could be arrested if she ventures into the premises of that parliament.
Her suspension was extremely high-handed. It was also one-sided. It did not follow proper legislative due process. The Ethics Committee of the Senate acted arbitrarily. It’s report was a sham. Interestingly, it’s on record that Akpabio acted worse than Natasha did under the leadership of Sen. Bukola Saraki. What happened in the Senate last week was part of the ongoing charade in that hallow chamber that’s turning into a theatre of shame.
This is not the first time that Akpabio is hugging the headlines for the wrong reasons. Who says Nigerian politics is not a fun to follow? It has taken the form of a soap opera that many will not want to miss on television. Recall that in 2020, when Nigeria, and the world, were squeezed to a corner as a result of COVID-19, we were entertained by Ms Joy Nunieh, then acting MD, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). She claimed that Akpabio who was Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs at the time, made sexual advances towards her. She also bragged that she slapped Akpabio. Akpabio denied all the allegations.
Some questions. Why did the senate rush to suspend her even when there was a court order to stay action pending the conclusion of the matter? Why was the petition she submitted to the senate not looked into before slamming her with the six-month suspension? Is there any attempt of a cover-up? Is the Senate President afraid of an open and full investigation? Sen. Natasha in her petition described the alleged misconduct by Akpabio as “reprehensible act of sexual harassment”, claiming that it has impaired her ability to effectively provide quality representation. A lot of lessons to learn from this messy, sickening spectacle. And this much is clear: Many politicians have imploded their reputation and ruined their careers because of inappropriate behaviour with women under them. Unfortunately, no lesson has been learnt by Nigerian politicians. It’s not unfair to say that since Natasha spilled the beans on the alleged sexual harassment against Akpabio, the sanctity of the Nigerian Senate, the public perception of the institution, and the character of the man who presides over the respected chamber, have come under a huge blanket of suspicion.
Whatever may be her faults, it’s wrong to portray Natasha as a kiss-and- tale woman, a bimbo who is desperately determined to bring down the Senate President. Truth is, if sexual misconduct is a disqualifying offence, almost all politicians in Nigeria will be unfit for public office. I suspect that’s why the Senate was quick to suspend her. If we were in a sane clime, Akpabio would have step aside long ago to allow unhindered investigation. But this is Nigeria .
Akpabio’s wife, Unoma, has since gone to court, claiming N250bn in damages on behalf of her “disciplined” husband. Whoever advised her to take this cause of action, didn’t do her any favour. What if Natasha comes forward with a tape and video recordings of her encounters with Akpabio to prove her allegations? Her narrative on Arise TV seems like that of Bill Clinton- Monica Lewinsky scandal of 1998 that almost ruined the Clinton presidency.
Natasha claimed it all began hours before the swanky birthday celebration of Akpabio in Ikot Ekpene, and Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital. Both senators share same birthday date. As expected, a coterie of high climbers in the society were invited. As she captured the sensual soap opera, “As we all moved to Akpabio’shouse in Uyo, about 8 pm, he held my hand and said he wanted to show me around his house. My husband was walking behind us, just three of us”.
She also claimed that Akpabio took her around, from room to room, the beautiful interiors, and many more. “And then, I noticed he hastened his space while still holding my hand. My husband was behind, still on his phone. We got to this particular sitting room, and he(Akpabio) said, ‘do you like this house’? I said, of course, sir, every room beautiful, nice interior, quality taste. He then said, “Now that you are a Senator, I am going to create a time for us to come spend quality moments here. You will enjoy it”.
Despite her suspension from the Senate Natasha insists she has concrete evidence to nail Akpabio, including intimate midnight calls from him that often woke her and her husband up. She likens her predicament to that of a “female student who refused sexual advances from her lecturer”. I foresee that the coming days and weeks will likely to be as interesting as the last two weeks, with many cases now in court. Is Akpabio guilty as charged? Too early to rush to conclusion.
Going forward, this is my advice to Akpabio and other randy lawmakers who have become lawbreakers. Never take advantage of any woman who is under you. Always remember that your position is that of trust. Avoid celebrating any woman apart from your wife. If possible, don’t have any close relationship with any woman, single or married, no matter her beauty. Neither should you allow your heart to lust after another woman. Always carry yourself with dignity and honour. The office you occupy demands that.