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SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN ACCUSES SENATE PRESIDENT AKPABIO OF PLOTTING HER ELIMINATION, ALLEGES SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of orchestrating a plot to recall her from the Senate, eliminate her, and install a replacement, while alleging relentless sexual harassment. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the senator claimed Akpabio colluded with former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to strip her of security details, leaving her vulnerable to harm. Akpoti-Uduaghan stated, “Akpabio stripped me of my security to make me vulnerable. What other evidence do you need to know that he planned to eliminate me?” She alleged the Senate President’s “hatred and hostility” stemmed from her refusal to succumb to his sexual advances, leading him to block her legislative motions and contributions. “He refuses my motions and contributions because I refused his sexual advances. His not allowing my motions and contributions is frustrating. He wanted to break me down and succumb to his advances,” she said. The senator described enduring “unbearable” pressure, forcing her to publicly confront Akpabio. “I had to cry out because the hatred and hostility of Akpabio against me became unbearable. I’m passing through difficult moments but I remain resolute,” she declared. She further criticized the Senate Committee on Ethics, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, for suspending her for six months without a fair hearing, a move she claimed was politically motivated to silence her. Akpoti-Uduaghan urged women to resist intimidation, stating, “People especially women should find the courage to speak the truth.” She reiterated her resolve to continue her legislative duties despite the alleged gang-up, vowing, “I just wanted Akpabio to leave me alone.” The Senate has yet to formally respond to the allegations.

SENATE BACKS PRESIDENT TINUBU’S EMERGENCY DECLARATION IN RIVERS STATE

In a significant development, the Nigerian Senate has given its stamp of approval to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This endorsement comes on the heels of a similar decision by the House of Representatives and paves the way for the President to implement emergency measures in the state. The Senate’s approval was announced after a closed-door session that lasted over an hour. Senate President Godswill Akpabio explained that the decision was made in accordance with the Senate’s rules and procedures, specifically Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136. According to Akpabio, the President’s declaration of a state of emergency is aimed at restoring stability in Rivers State, which has been plagued by a protracted crisis. The Senate President emphasized that the approval granted to the President is subject to periodic review, which will not exceed six months. Prior to the Senate’s approval, President Tinubu had written to the Senate, informing them of his decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. The letter, which was read aloud by Akpabio, outlined the key features of the proclamation, including the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly. The President also appointed Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Administrator to oversee the state during the emergency period. With the Senate’s approval, the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is now officially in effect.

SENATE FAILS TO CONSIDER PRESIDENT TINUBU’S PROCLAMATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE

The Senate on Wednesday failed to consider President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, despite listing it as the first order of the day on its Order Paper. The matter was initially shifted to 3 pm, but when the time came, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion to step down the item until the next legislative day, Thursday, March 20. The proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State has been met with opposition, particularly in the House of Representatives. President Tinubu declared the emergency rule in Rivers on Tuesday, citing escalating political tension in the oil-rich state. According to Section 305 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate is required to approve the emergency proclamation. However, it appears that the Senate is buying time to lobby and win more members to support the president’s proclamation. The Senate requires a two-thirds majority, or 73 out of its 109 members, to pass the emergency declaration. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has 64 senators, but as of 1:40 pm on Wednesday, not all 64 APC senators were present at the session. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele’s motion to suspend the item was made with the consent of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. No further discussion on the emergency rule was made as senators filed out of the chambers.

SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI: CSOs ADVISE WOMEN GROUPS

Following the disruptive behavior of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Senate Chambers during plenary, the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice and the Media Practitioners for Development have advised Women Groups in Nigeria not to be manipulated by the antics of the Senator representing Kogi Central. In a press statement made available to journalists in Abuja and signed by the duo of Mr James Okoronkwo and Mr Johnson Eze, leaders of the groups, they admonished women coalitions not to allow themselves to be deluded by Senator Natasha Akpoti’s false allegation of sexual harassment and victimization, lamenting that her recalcitrance, disregard for Senate Rules and disrespect for the nation’s apex law- making body must be condemned by all law- abiding women across Nigeria. Lastly, the group chided former Senate President, Bukola Saraki for trying to make political capital from the Senator Natasha Akpoti’s abrasive campaign of using sexual harassment to cover misconduct in the Senate. The group recalled that Senator Bukola Saraki also did not resign nor step aside as Senate President when he was tried by the Code of Conduct Tribunal for false assets declaration during his tenure.

THE ILLEGALITY OF NATASHA’S SUSPENSION, AKPABIO’S GAME PLAN AND THE MACABRE DANCE OF THE 10TH SENATE

Friday Lines (51) With Dr Abubakar Alkali 7/3/25 (1) There is the Urgent Need for the U.S, U.K and France to Impose Visa Restrictions on the Entire Leadership of the 10th Senate for Promoting Undemocratic Tenets’(2) The major problem with Nigeria is not ethnicity or religious divides but the ‘truth-averse syndrome’ where a person will see the truth and willingly shy away from it for personal gains.(3) The mishandling of the Natasha V Akpabio sexual harassment matter by the 10th senate again reminds us to look for an answer to the opt-repeated question initially posed by PW Botha, the former Prime Minister of Apartheid South Africa. ‘Can the Blackman Rule Over Himself? In Friday lines 50 published last week on this subject, i emphasised on the fact that Sen Godswill Akpabio needs to resign urgently as President of the senate to allow for an independent, forensic and unbiased investigation into the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by Sen Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.The basis of my argument and that of several other pro-people thinkers was that Sen Akpabio cannot be a judge in his own case. The law is clear: Nemo debet esse judex in propria causa. In fact, no person should judge a case in which he has an interest to avoid a conflict of interest. What we saw yesterday on the floor of the senate during the purported suspension of Sen Natasha was the exact same anomaly we spoke against: Sen Akpabio sitting as the judge, jury and determinant in his own case. This is Nigeria! Who cares? Knowingly or unknowingly to the senate, they are a shade too late to suspend Sen Natasha because a federal high court sitting in Abuja has ruled for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum.To this end, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the federal high court in his ruling on the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/25; between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. The Clerk of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & 3 Ors.” has restrained the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions or any committee for that matter from conducting any disciplinary proceedings against Sen Natasha.The learned judge also asked the senate to justify its probe of Natasha within 72 hours.The senate in clear contravention of this court order went ahead to suspend Sen Natasha and never bothered to revert to the court to justify its trial of Natasha as required by the court. In this regard, the purported recommendation by the senate committee on ethics to the committee of the whole senate to suspend Sen Natasha is null, void and of no effect whatsoever. Since the senate acted on that purported recommendation by the ethics committee to suspend Sen Natasha, the action of the senate has no basis in law and is therefore null, void and of no effect whatsoever. The matter is subjudice since it is already in court and thus cannot be a subject of public discourse elsewhere. Clearly the senate, a supposed law making body has erred in law. In the light of this ruling, the chairman of the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions Sen Neda Imasuen should be sued by Sen Natasha for contempt of court and libel having arranged an illegal commitee sitting and prepared a so-called ‘report’ in defiance of the court order. The court has ruled that any action taken within the subsistence of the court ruling is null, void and of no effect whatsoever. The court also adjourned hearing to March 10 2025. In reality, the game plan of Akpabio for suspending Natasha is to get her to apologise so that she would technically clear him of her sexual allegations and he will use it against her in a court of law for defamation of character and libel.If for any reason, Sen Natasha apologises to Sen Akpabio and/or the senate, she would have made a huge mistake and thrown herself open for further litigation and gagging by senator Akpabio or the senate itself. Sen Akpabio knows full well that the sexual allegations by Sen Natasha will be hanging on his neck in the court of public opinion forever. He also knows full well that no court will clear him of these damning allegations over sexual harassment and abuse of office to curry sexual favours by force. Hence he (Akpabio) desperately wants an apology from Natasha to clear himself of the sexual allegations and use it to finally silence Sen Natasha once and for all. She might even do his bidding eventually as he will keep hoping. Sen Natasha must never succumb to pressure to apologise. It is Akpabio who should apologise not Natasha. It is Akpabio who brought the senate to disrepute not Natasha. These sexual harassment allegations by Natasha added to the earlier sex-related allegations by Ms Joy Nunieh have cast a shadow of doubt on Sen Akpabio’s career, character and reputation as a public servant. Is he fit to hold a public office in the face of all these allegations by multiple women over sexual harassment? The man Akpabio is alleged to have an insatiable carvenous appetite for women and will not lift his eye at the sight of beauty. A woman can destroy your career in a flash but not the other way round. Akpabio should seek interpretation to the story of prophet Yusuf and Zulaikha in Qur’an Surah 12:25. The fact is that the 10th senate which has actually assumed the status of a cult, does not really suspend any senator but they flag a fake red light to silence and intimidate the senator for saying the truth. After a few weeks and having put fear into that senator, they will ‘reconsider’ the suspension and recall the senator. Recall the purported suspensions of Sen Ali Ndume and Sen Abdul Ningi both of which were shortlived and turned out to be mere efforts at silencing them from saying the truth. The method worked anyway as both senators Ndume and Ningi shied away from making further

SENATE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS SIX-MONTH SUSPENSION FOR SENATOR NATASHA

A Senate Committee has recommended a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, following her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The committee also demanded that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan issue a formal apology to the Senate for allegedly disrespecting the institution. During the suspension period, the committee stated that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s salary and security details will be withdrawn. The Senate also advised her to respect and obey the rules and orders of the legislative institution. Rising on Order 55(1), Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno, emphasized that all senators must stand up when the Senate President is ushered into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-arms. Monguno regretted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan disrespected this rule on Wednesday and Thursday by refusing to stand up when Akpabio entered the chamber. Senate President Godswill Akpabio sustained the order, urging all senators to be guided. The controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan began after a dispute with Senate President Akpabio over seating arrangements in the chamber, which escalated into allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

ITA-GIWA DISMISSES AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN’S SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIM AGAINST AKPABIO

Former Presidential Adviser and ex-senator, Florence Ita-Giwa, has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ita-Giwa stated that female senators are beyond the reach of sexual harassment, emphasizing that they are equals in the Senate and should not allow such issues to affect them. Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that Akpabio blocked her efforts to raise motions concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company due to her refusal to engage in a sexual relationship with him. However, Ita-Giwa countered that once women become senators, they have passed the stage of their lives where they can be sexually harassed. “By the time you contest elections and get to the Senate, you have passed that stage of your life,” Ita-Giwa remarked. “You go there to serve, and you are all equal.” She further emphasized that claiming sexual harassment as a female senator is a sign of weakness. Ita-Giwa clarified that she was not discrediting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims but insisted that female senators should see themselves as equals to their male colleagues. “I am not saying the lady is lying, but when you get to the Senate, you’re there as a person. You’re not there as a woman,” she said.

CSOs COMMEND SENATE, REPS LEADERSHIP OVER FAIR PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX REFORM BILLS

The Situation Room on Economic Reforms, a coalition of 100 civil society groups in Nigeria, has commended the National Assembly Committees on Finance for conducting a fair and transparent public hearing on the tax reform bills. The hearing brought together individuals, government agencies, private entities, and other stakeholders to contribute to the legislative process. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday in Abuja, Barrister Johnson Alli praised the Senate and House of Reps finance committee chairmen, Senator Sani Musa, and Rt. Hon. James Faleke for their high-level transparency and accountability. “The tax reform bills have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s economic development, and the input gathered during the public hearing will play a crucial role in shaping the final legislation,” he said. Alli noted that Senator Musa’s leadership has been exemplary, and his ability to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders and lawmakers has been impressive. “Under his chairmanship, the Senate Committee has demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance of tax reform in driving economic growth and development.” He also commended Hon. James Faleke for his exceptional leadership skills throughout the public hearing process. “His dedication to ensuring that the voices of Nigerians are heard is truly commendable.” The coalition urged other committees to emulate the example set by Senator Musa and Rt. Hon. Faleke. The Situation Room on Economic Reforms expressed optimism that the outcome of the legislative process will be a tax system that promotes economic growth, reduces inequality, and benefits all Nigerians. “We wish to assure Nigerians that with Senator Sani Musa and Hon. James Faleke, the country is in good hands. We have every confidence that they will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the tax reform bills are passed in the best interest of Nigerians,” Alli added.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND THE HYPOCRISY AGAINST LECTURERS

In recent years, Nigerian lecturers have been vilified, scapegoated, and subjected to intense scrutiny under the guise of moral purification. The National Assembly went as far as passing a law prescribing severe punishment for any lecturer accused of harassment—ensuring that even mere courtship with a student could lead to dire consequences. This legislative aggression cast lecturers as the primary culprits of moral decadence in higher institutions, making it seem as though no other sector in Nigeria had issues with abuse of power or exploitation. Yet, today, the very same National Assembly finds itself entangled in a sexual harassment scandal of the highest order. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has come forward with damning allegations that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, harassed her. This is not an isolated incident—he was similarly accused by the former head of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) when he was a minister. This raises a crucial question: What moral standing does Akpabio, and indeed the Senate as an institution, have to legislate on morality when its own leader is facing accusations of sexual misconduct? If a lecturer, regardless of proof, is presumed guilty and subjected to severe punishment based on mere allegations, why should different standards apply to the Senate President? Shouldn’t Akpabio, in line with the principles of fairness and accountability, immediately step aside for an independent investigation and potential prosecution? The credibility of governance is on the line. The Nigerian people are watching. If Akpabio is allowed to remain in office while facing these serious allegations, it only confirms what many already suspect—that power in Nigeria is a shield for impunity, and laws are designed only for the weak, not the powerful. If the National Assembly truly believes in justice, then it must demand Akpabio’s resignation pending the outcome of an investigation. Anything less would be outright hypocrisy. The same Senate that swiftly passed a law demonizing lecturers must now demonstrate consistency. The moral cleansing they so eagerly pursued must begin at home. If justice is truly blind, then Akpabio must face the same scrutiny and consequences they have imposed on others. The choice before the Senate is clear: uphold justice or expose itself as an institution of double standards. Dr. I. M. Lawal, ABU, Zaria lawalabusalma@gmail.com

SARAKI CALLS FOR OPEN PROBE INTO AKPABIO’S ALLEGED MISCONDUCT

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has called for an “open, transparent, and honest” investigation into the allegations of sexual advances made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Saraki emphasized the importance of conducting a fair and unbiased investigation to preserve the integrity of the Senate. In a statement, Saraki said, “The only way to avoid the perception of condoning misconduct is through an unbiased investigation that follows due process.” He also urged all parties involved to cooperate fully with the Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee, ensuring that the investigation remains transparent and focused solely on uncovering the truth. Saraki warned that failure to address the allegations properly could damage the public perception of the institution, potentially casting it as one that tolerates sexual harassment and misconduct. He reiterated that any findings of wrongdoing should be appropriately addressed with corrective actions. Drawing from his own experience, Saraki recalled a previous incident during his time as Senate President when a false allegation was leveled against him. He supported a transparent investigation, which ultimately cleared him of wrongdoing and reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to upholding its integrity. Saraki stressed that the same approach should be followed in the current dispute to maintain the Senate’s credibility. He made it clear that he was not suggesting guilt on either side but emphasized the need for a fair investigation to uphold the reputation and sanctity of the legislative body.

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