Wike Shakes The Foundation: PDP, CBN, INEC, And NNPC Lose Land In High-Stakes Revocation

Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that senators have been intimidated to the point where dissent is stifled out of fear of losing future opportunities and privileges. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Tuesday, she described the Senate as having a toxic culture of fear.

“There is a culture of fear in the Senate. If you criticize the Senate President or express a different opinion, you risk being silenced and losing all future opportunities,” she said.

In addition to this, Akpoti-Uduaghan leveled serious allegations of inappropriate conduct against Senate President Akpabio. She recounted an incident where Akpabio and other senators allegedly made sexual innuendos and advances toward her.

“I rushed to the Senate one day and forgot to wear my wedding ring. Some senators teased me, saying, ‘Natasha, why aren’t you wearing your wedding ring? Are you betraying your husband?’” she shared.

She also recalled Akpabio’s suggestive comment: “He once told me, ‘Natasha, your husband seems to be enjoying you, and you might be able to twist that beautiful waist of yours…’” This comment was followed by laughter from other senators.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Onyekachi Nwokedi, swiftly denied the allegations. Responding to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, Nwokedi rejected the idea of harassment or inappropriate comments by Akpabio, asserting that her behavior in the Senate did not reflect the situation she described.

“There was never a time the Senate President made any attempt to harass Senator Akpoti at his home or made any inappropriate statements in the Senate,” Nwokedi said, also dismissing the claim that the Senate has become a “cult” where members are silenced.