POLITICS
Senator Nwebonyi Claims Natasha Planned to Disgrace Akpabio

Senator Onyebuchi Nwebonyi has finally given full details of how has Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, lawmaker representing Kogi Central, allegedly threatened to disgrace Senate President Godswill Akpabio a day before she publicly accused him of sexual harassment.
Nwaebonyi, the deputy chief whip of the senate and lawmaker representing Ebonyi north, spoke on Thursday when he appeared on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television.
On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan, accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.
The allegation was preceded by a heated argument between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan at the upper chamber on February 20 over seating arrangements.
The Kogi senator disrupted the plenary by rejecting her assigned seat, defying Akpabio’s order, and repeatedly raising a point of order despite being overruled
Subsequently, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.
Nwaebonyi alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment claim followed her failed attempt to regain the chairmanship of a committee lost in a recent reshuffle.
The deputy chief whip said Akpoti-Uduaghan was dissatisfied after being reassigned from chairing the senate committee on local content and moved to the diaspora committee.
“Senator Natasha was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, a position she felt comfortable with,” Nwaebonyi said.
“However, in the Senate, from time to time, committee leaderships are changed; they are reshuffled — her committee was affected just like every other chairmen.
“She was shifted to the Senate Committee on Diaspora, which didn’t go down well with Senator Natasha.”
Nwaebonyi said instead of recognising her duty to represent the people, the Kogi senator prioritised her “personal interests over her constituency”, which led to the sexual harassment allegation.
“Let me tell you — a day before she appeared on Arise TV, claiming this sexual harassment, she called a senator (Senator Sani Musa of Niger State),” he said.
“She asked him to tell the Senate President to return her as chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content. She threatened that if this was not done, she would disgrace the Senate President.
“Senator Sani Musa then called the Senate President and said, ‘Look at the threat from this lady’.
“The Senate President responded, ‘Well, let her do what she wants to do. I am doing my job as a presiding officer. The reshuffling of committee members is normal’.
“Nigeria should know this. Senator Natasha is claiming sexual harassment because she lost the chairmanship of the Local Content Committee, not because she was harassed by Senator Akpabio or any other senator.”
On Wednesday, the senate panel rejected the sexual harassment petition submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, citing due process breaches and legal limitations.
The panel, who described the petition as “dead on arrival,” said the female senator personally signed it instead of securing another person’s endorsement, rendering it “invalid”.
Neda Imaseun, chairman of the committee, added that the issues raised in the petition were already being addressed in court, making them sub judice and beyond the senate’s authority.
During Thursday’s plenary, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted another petition signed by her constituents, which the senate accepted.
Meanwhile, Senator Natasha has been suspended for six months without salaries and allowances on Thursday.
(NEWMAX NIGERIA)
Discover more from Naijanewstoday
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
POLITICS6 days ago
C-Sagas UK Chapter Meets Founder in London, Reaffirms Humanitarian Vision
-
NEWS6 days ago
Ikwo Noyo Clan Releases Official Timetable for 2025 Nnesweoha Festival
-
ENTERTAINMENT5 days ago
VeryDarkMan Breaks Down in Tears as He Announces Death of Popular Fish Seller
-
NEWS6 days ago
Nigerian Youth Advocate Calls Out Facebook’s Monetisation Policies
-
CAMPUS REPORTS7 days ago
VC Inaugurates Two New Residential Flats Built by AE-FUNAI Parents’ Forum
-
CAMPUS REPORTS6 days ago
Experts Urge Responsible AI And Data Use at AE-FUNAI Law Conference
-
POLITICS5 days ago
2027 Elections: We’re the Only Viable Alternative to APC, PDP Slams ADC
-
CAMPUS REPORTS6 days ago
AE-FUNAI Hosts ACSPN, Highlights Role of Artificial Intelligence in Media and Security
-
SPORTS5 days ago
Morocco Challenges Referee Call After Super Falcons’ WAFCON Triumph
-
FACT-CHECKS/INVESTIGATION2 days ago
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: How Chinedu Ogah Allegedly Uses Fake Job Offers to Exploit Unemployed Youths in Ebonyi
-
SPORTS5 days ago
Timi Dakolo, Flavour, Teni, Fido Perform at Super Falcons’ Victory Dinner in Abuja
-
NEWS6 days ago
David Umahi’s Daughter Kimberly Graduates With First Class