By our reporter 31-7-2025
Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will be back into the National Assembly to resume her duties only if she can say sorry and withdraw her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate president Godswill Akpabio.
Media consultant to the Senate president Kenny Okolugbo, dropped the hint in an interview with the Vanguard, He argued that Senator Akpabio was not pursuing political vendetta against his colleague.
“When she was suspended on March 6, the Senate inserted a clause — Proviso 2 — stating clearly that her suspension could be lifted immediately upon tendering a public apology to the Senate and its leadership. That shows magnanimity and fairness.
“Instead, she escalated the situation. Even Brekete Family, where she once went for sympathy, later advised her to apologise. She ignored that. Her defiance has dragged this issue far longer than necessary.
“It depends on her. If Senator Natasha tenders an apology and retracts her unfounded allegations — this can end immediately. But if she continues this performance, then legal processes will take their course.
He dismissed the notion that Akpabio was personalising the matter.
“That argument simply doesn’t hold water. Senator Godswill Akpabio has acted in full compliance with the Constitution and Senate rules. He has not personalised the issue, nor has he acted unilaterally. The Senate’s decision was a collective one, grounded in law, particularly Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution which grants each chamber the authority to regulate its proceedings. Additionally, Rule 14(2) of the Senate Standing Orders provides internal disciplinary mechanisms.
“She went to court, not the Senate. She made wild accusations, not the Senate President. The suspension came after due process. She was guilty of violation of order 6.1, 6.2 etc There’s nothing political about holding a Senator accountable to the rules of conduct governing the chamber.”
Can we still be friends?
Akpqbio and Natasha...