The current controversy in the Nigerian Senate, involving the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which began in the red chamber, has continued to cause waves and conflict in the Nigerian leadership ecosystem in terms of women’s representation in government.

Although the rift between the Senate President and his colleague is not the first time the two will argue openly on the floor, the events that followed have drawn more attention to the gender dynamics in the nation’s political system and the possible difficulties faced by female politicians. The recent dispute erupted when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan protested against her sitting position, which was changed upon the resumption of hearings without her consent and prior notice, leading to disruption in the plenary session as she openly disagreed with the leadership.

In his defence, the Senate President said the relocation of seats was needed as some of the minority lawmakers are already moving to the majority wing of the Senate chamber, hence the readjustment of sitting positions. In disagreement with the position of the leadership of the red chamber, Senator Akpoti refused to leave her previous seat in defiance of the senate leadership. This made the Senate president deny her recognition to speak in the plenary session by shutting her microphone to raise her motion.

Not backing down, the senator insisted that the action was deliberate by Akpabio to silence her from speaking on the floor. She also accused the Senate president of denying her rights and privileges to speak as a senator representing her constituency. Meanwhile, a similar conflict event occurred between Senator Akpobio and Senator Natasha in July 2024, in which the former compared the latter’s conduct during the plenary session to that of a nightclub for commenting on a motion without recognition by the senate president.

The statement sparked a range of reactions against Senator Akpabio for his disparaging remarks about a fellow lawmaker, prompting him to apologise to Senator Akpoti two days later. The documentation of sexual harassment and the responses from spouses are presented. In a shocking turn of events, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said the incessant conflict between her and the Senate President stemmed from her refusal of some inappropriate advances Akpabio had made towards her in the past.

The Kogi senator, while speaking on Arise TV, said the senate president had made a love proposal to her in his residence in Uyo before her husband. She asserted that this happened not only in front of her husband but also in other locations. She also claimed that, due to the refusal of advances from the Senate president, some of her legislative duties have been frustrated by the principal of the red chamber, as some of her motions, especially the ones related to Ajaokuta steel, have been ignored.

Alleging further, Senator Akpoti claimed she has evidence to back her claims up. She called the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), among others, to investigate the allegations, stating she is open to any probes to establish her claims. As a result of her allegation, Nigerians and civil society organisations have reacted from different perspectives, some of which posit that the development is a reflection of the hurdles women in leadership face in a male-dominated environment.

Some went on to say that if her claims are true, it would indicate a pattern of using political influence to silence dissenting female voices, which could discourage more women from pursuing leadership positions. However, in response to the accusation of sexual harassment against her husband, Senate President’s wife, Ekaette Akpabio, filed a lawsuit against Senator Akpoti in the Federal Capital Territory’s High Court in Abuja, claiming that the allegation violated her fundamental rights as protected by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Nigerian Constitution.

There was a court case where the wife of the Senate President asked for N250 billion in damages for what she called “exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages suffered as a result of the senator’s statements.” The woman also asked the court to stop Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from making any more “inciteful, scandalous, and spiteful statements against her.” She made this request after accusing Akpoti of causing emotional and psychological distress to her and her children. Meanwhile, in his defence of his wife, the husband of Senator Natasha Akpoti Oduaghan, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, has also spoken out to defend his wife, as he urged the Senate to accord his wife the respect and dignity she deserves as a lawmaker who was elected by her people.

Chief Uduaghan, who is a high chief in the Warri kingdom, maintained that despite the friendship between himself and the senate president, he has met with him to treat his wife with deserved respect and refrain from harassing her. “Without prejudice to the ongoing legal proceedings, I wish to emphasise that my wife was duly elected by her people due to the immense love, respect, and confidence they have in her. She is committed to delivering quality representation to her district and the nation at large,” he said.

Calls for Investigations To To address the heated rift in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, stakeholders and experts have called for a transparent investigation into the allegation, as it could potentially undermine the integrity of the Senate as an institution. In his intervention, the former Senate president and the former governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, have emphasised the position of the House, stating that the credibility of the Senate and the lawmakers is at stake.

Therefore, he called for an impartial investigation to resolve the issue. He claimed that although he had previously been the subject of an investigation while serving as Senate leader, he handled the probe with integrity and permitted an open procedure, stating that it would not be the first time a Senate President would appear before the committee to aid it in the conduct of a transparent and open investigation.

“I have observed the recent developments in the Senate between Godswill Akpabio and the Senator from Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from a distance. This situation saddens me due to its negative impact on the institution’s integrity, sanctity, image, and public perception. “At this point, with the public claims made by the senator, the right measure to take is to institute an open, transparent, and honest investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. Both parties must submit to the investigation, fully cooperate with the committee, and stake their claims before it,” he stated.

“This is not the first time a Senate President would appear before the committee to aid it in the conduct of a transparent and open investigation,” particularly regarding the Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which has also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing rift in the National Assembly, especially as it has to do with a significant allegation of sexual harassment in the Senate. In a statement signed by the vice president of the students on Saturday, he emphasised the relevance of the National Assembly, which is expected to occupy an exemplary position in the country.

They believe that if the president fails to take decisive action, they may resort to protesting at the National Assembly Complex. “The National Assembly is a key organ of the government that should be occupied by exemplary and forthright representatives of the people. .The face-off between Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Godswill Akpabio should not be allowed to fester.”

Temitope Aiyedogbon, the acting head of the Gender Department at Take It Back Movement, has also called for a transparent and open investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, and gender-based bias against the Senate President. According to her, such an accusation must not be ignored, as it could silence women and discourage their participation in leadership. She emphasised that every lawmaker deserves respect and a safe space to contribute without fear of harassment or intimidation. The Senate must uphold fairness, dignity, and constructive debate, not gender-based attacks.

“Sexual harassment is a grave violation that silences women and discourages their participation in leadership. Senator Natasha, like every lawmaker, deserves respect and a safe space to contribute without fear of harassment or intimidation. The Senate must uphold fairness, dignity, and constructive debate, not gender-based attacks.

“We demand a full investigation into this allegation and call for a political system where women’s voices are valued, protected, and free from abuse. Gender justice is non-negotiable”, she said.