Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, says she is paying for rejecting Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s sexual advances.
She stated that she needed to find the courage to speak out despite potential consequences.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made these statements during an interview with Sky News.
The senate suspended her on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following a disagreement with Akpabio about seating arrangements.
She believes her suspension was unlawful, unfair, and an attempt to silence her voice.
The senator also rejected the senate’s claim that her suspension had no connection to her sexual harassment claim.
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“They did mention that I was suspended on account of gross misconduct but can they provide exactly what the gross misconduct was that amounted to six months suspension? The day after I submitted a petition?” she asked.
“They suspended me because of that petition, not because of any gross misconduct.
“They only told me to move my seat and I refused because I deserve notification, I deserve a chance to explain why I should retain my seat.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan pointed out that her male colleagues frequently engage in disruptive behaviour in the chamber, including fighting and throwing chairs, yet face no suspensions for misconduct.
“Why? Because they are men? You know, our culture intertwines this culture of silence, harassment, fear, and intimidation where a woman should sit pretty, to be seen only and not heard,” she said.
The senator claimed Akpabio denied her rights as a lawmaker because she refused his advances.
“I found the courage to speak up. Yes, moving me from that seat became the breaking point. Silently, I have had to endure a whole lot,” she said.
“Things got difficult for me. I was always complaining.
“I’ll have a motion to pass and he’ll not let me. My husband would walk to him because they are friends and say ‘My wife has a very important bill, her constituency needs this, why don’t you give her a chance to speak?’ And he’ll say ‘next time’.
“Each time I walk to him alone, he’ll tell me, ‘You know what, right here, I’m the chief presiding officer of the national assembly, so you have to please me, make me happy to get these privileges’.
“That happened several times and because I refused, it developed into malice.”
Akpabio has denied sexually harassing Akpoti-Uduaghan.
