The wahala wey dey ground wey concern Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and her suspension from Nigerian Senate never show sign say e go end soon. On Tuesday, di suspended senator from Kogi carry di matter go international level.
Di Senate suspend am sake of say she break Senate rules, shortly after she submit petition accuse Akpabio of sexual harassment and other wahala—wey Akpabio don deny strong strong. But Senator Natasha no gree, as she talk for di Women in Parliament session for di Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Meeting wey happen for United Nations headquarters for New York, where she beg for justice and support from international democratic bodies.
She talk say di suspension no follow law, say na because she submit petition against Akpabio dem suspend am. “Dem suspend me illegal after I carry petition go Senate say Senator Godswill Akpabio, wey be Senate President, harass me sexually,” she tell di gathering. “I believe say e suppose comot for di matter make di Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition fit do better investigation. But instead, dem silence me and suspend me.”
She talk say di matter no be only about her, but e show di kind wahala wey women dey face for Nigerian politics. “No be just me dem do like dis—na part of di bigger problem wey women dey face to enter political leadership for Nigeria,” she yarn.
After di speech, Senator Natasha come express concern say her safety fit dey at risk, as she talk say di Nigerian authorities fit wan hold her for New York because she don talk di matter for international level.
Her suspension last week, wey happen after Senate reject her first petition and even di second one wey she submit, don cause plenty argument for inside Nigeria. But she talk say she no go back down, as she go continue to fight for justice.
Meanwhile, Akpabio don deny di accusations, talk say he never harass any woman before. Di two of dem don get wahala before, as their latest clash start on February 20, 2025, when Senate change her seat for plenary session. Before dat one, for July 2024, Akpabio don first warn am say make she follow Senate rules, say Senate no be “nightclub” where person fit talk anyhow. But later, Akpabio apologize for di statement.
As di matter dey go, Senator Natasha decision to carry di wahala go international level show say she ready to challenge both her suspension and di bigger issues wey di matter represent.
