The current controversy around Nigerian Senate president Godswill Akpabio and Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti has gone international as Senator Natasha reports Godswill Akpabio to the United Nations.
On seeing this, VeryDarkMan advised Senator Natasha on the right moves to make and he also praised her for standing up for herself.
Full video above.
VDM go and sit down....You dey claim human right activist,u still dey open your mouth for public talk as you hate another human like you .. what sort of useless human right activist are you?
9jatriot: If seat arrangements are not important, why did Natasha not argue with the seat arrangement at the UN meeting? She could have argued with them that she was not going to sit on the chair she was given as she did in the Senate Chamber.
Also, I thought she was suspended, in what capacity did she represent the senate at that meeting?
I pity the husband that marries this type....The man cannot have peace.
yongg: I understand how you describe that these allegations can be weaponize. I am quite aware of some who have theorized that she may even be doing this, also I cannot pretend to know the criteria which is used to judge the severity of this allegations in-house but they sound pretty serious.
But usually, when someone is being investigated for abuse like this some part of their responsibilities do suffer suspension especially when it affects the accuser, or in cases where that can't happen, they accuser my get suspended as a protection from the power of the accused.
Even an ex Senate president could see and advised the current president to step aside for temporarily for investigation.
And no, I'm not suggesting a case of corruption for the other 108 members, it is not a case of corruption, it's procedural ethics. The corruption is yet to be determined between the two main characters though 😁.
Don't take Saraki seriously.....his bitterness is showing. He’s still seething because he couldn’t return to the Senate for a second term; Amed lawn took his place, and that loss still stings.
But let’s talk about hypocrisy. When Saraki was entangled in an armed robbery case, did he step down? No. Even when the Nigerian Police Force invited him over a case far more serious, he held onto power without flinching. Yet now, he has the audacity to demand that someone else step down? Pure jealousy.
And let’s not forget the swirling allegations during his time in the Senate....claims of siphoning government funds to buy bulletproof vehicles worth millions. A man drowning in controversy, yet pointing fingers?
Even his misuse of the phrase "a different thing entirely" screams desperation. This isn’t about principles; it’s about a man who lost his grip on power and can't stand watching others succeed.
yongg: Of course, IPU has no power to take decisions for the Nigerian Senate, our sovereignty is not in question. There is a real effect of this action, which will be pronounced in future and even more so when her accusations are proved true within the Nigerian judiciary or frustrated from doing so.
I will need to refer to that bye-law when chanced in my spare time for better resolution of details. Having said that, this bye law which subjects the duration of suspension of a law maker according to what the Senate deems fit may not have been equitably applied, bad optics.
In fact, to put this another way, the process reeks of "even when ones accusatory claims are correct and valid, the rules can be weaponize against that member even when the erring is as a result of the claim in the first place".
I would argue they should have been both suspended, before this degeneration or at considered that component during the application of her suspension. The optics is just bad, more for the Senate and its presiding officer, even with out the knowledge of the truth to her claims.
Legal luminary, let’s call a spade a spade. You can’t demand that the Senate President step down over mere allegations that haven’t been proven. Legally, it doesn’t work that way. If we were to follow that logic, politicians would have weaponized it long ago....I could wake up tomorrow, accuse the President, and expect him to step down. No country operates that way.
Lawmakers should fight within the boundaries of the law, not trample on it. You can’t claim to champion justice while disregarding the very rules that uphold it. If Senate procedures require a senator to be seated before being recognized, she should have followed that protocol before making her case. Defiance isn’t always bravery; sometimes, it’s recklessness.
Moreover, it’s unrealistic to suggest that all 108 senators..
including those from her state, her party, and all female senators....are corrupt. That’s an emotional exaggeration, not a factual argument. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. If she truly understood the laws she claims to defend, she wouldn’t keep making these missteps. She is in error.
mohbadliveson: A socio-political group, Rescue Nigeria Economy Project (RNEP) has berated the silence of major northern senators over the alleged sexual advancement claims leveled against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan was last week suspended for six months for violation of the Senate’s rules days after she submitted a petition against Akpabio for sexual assault and other accusations.
On Tuesday, Natasha, who described her suspension as an injustice that cannot stand took her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Meeting at the United Nations in New York.
Reacting to the issue, RNEP, in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Dennis Alamu-George on Tuesday said the silence of northern senators such as Ali Ndume, Abdul Ningi and Abdulaziz Yari are worrisome as they appeared cowed into silence.
The group said the current senate is a far cry from the 1999 set in the Evan Enwerem and Chuba Okadigbo era as “they would have demanded that Akpabio step down for a thorough investigation or launch an impeachment move against him for bringing the Senate into disrepute”.
“ We are perplexed at the silence of vocal northern senators like Ndume, Yari and Ningi. Could it be that they are afraid of the presidency, especially given what happened to Ndume and Ningi who spoke out in the past? Could it be they are making their moves underground and they don’t want to bring attention to themselves so that President Tinubu who is heavily backing the Senate President won’t see them coming?”.
“Whatever it is, their silence is not golden at this moment at all. The current issue in the senate has been reported globally and it is not doing the already battered image of Nigeria any good” the group said.
In a related development, the Arewa Youth Assembly For Good Leadership (AYAGL) has called on President Bola Tinubu to call Akpabio to order over his antagonistic actions against northern senators.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the speaker of the AYAGL, Ambassador Abdul Danbature reiterated that, “going by what has happened under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, we believe Akpabio is fighting the North directly or indirectly. Our reasons for this belief are not farfetched. The perfunctory suspension of distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti recently has reinforced our beliefs that Akpabio is fighting the North”. https://thescrutinyng.com/alleged-misconduct-group-faults-silence-of-yari-ningi-ndume-on-akpabio/
yongg: I am not sure you understand the scope of influence of the accusation.
Even the punishment for indiscipline you reference , high-handed, why six months when I hear(haven't confirmed) even their rule ought to be around 14 days. And why deny representation from a senator for 6 months, incorrectly infererring Yeas and Nays?
Legal luminary, there's another law in senate bylaws that permits a law maker to go on suspension as long as the Senate sees fit depending on the severity of the case...As for the IPU ,they can only urge the Senate to look into the harassment case and try to meditate...They have no power to take any decision for the Nigerian senate...All these procedures are governed by laws.
A Northern Group has threatened a total shutdown if Senator Natasha is not recalled within 48hrs.
The group also called for Senator Akpabio's resignation.
In the same vein, the Arewa Youth Assembly For Good Leadership (AYAGL) has threatened to block the Lokoja/Kaduna highway as well as occupy the National Assembly if the Senate fails to suspend the six-month suspension placed on Senator Natasha Akpoti.
The group also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to order.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Speaker of the Assembly, Ambassador Abdul Danbature, said, “Going by what has happened under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, we believe Akpabio is fighting the North directly or indirectly.
“Northern Nigeria deserves more than what it’s getting from Akpabio as Senate President. Without the overwhelming support of our Senators from the North, Akpabio wouldn’t be sitting as Senate President today.
“He must stop the victimisation of Senators from the North. He must stop his selective justice. He should realise that power, position, and influence are ephemeral.”
“Our reasons for this belief are not far-fetched. The perfunctory suspension of distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti recently has reinforced our beliefs that Akpabio is fighting the North.
“What has Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan done to warrant her suspension from legislative duties for six months? What has she done to warrant her change of seat? What has she done to warrant her removal as Senate Committee Chairman on Local Content? And above all, what have Northern women done to deserve continued harassment?
“What has Northern Nigeria done against Senator Akpabio to stop a motion moved by Senator Natasha on the NLNG gas pipeline project to Northern Nigeria? A lot of questions are begging for answers, and we hope Senator Akpabio will provide answers.
To this end, he said, “Akpabio must heed our call to recall Senator Natasha within 48 hours, or else we will occupy the National Assembly Complex, block the Lokoja-Kaduna express road, and all the 19 Northern States and FCT.
“We are very much ready and prepared to engage in civil protest until our demands are met.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wade into this matter because some sections of the North believe Akpabio could not have done this without his imprimatur.
“As youth, we are using this medium to tell Akpabio that nothing lasts forever, no position is permanent, and no power is eternal. Therefore, we would like to advise him to be circumspect and treat his colleagues equally and fairly.”
henrydanger: We need to take our politicians for rehab. Everyday we wake up with another set of comedy. Even those responsible for making and enforcing justice are bunch of comedians. Sen. Akpabio is a comedian, he should be out there for one of these comedy nights. He shouldn't be occupying such crucial and vital position. I really feel for my children.
Leave your children and feel for yourself first... Always talking nonsense with the mouth you use to eat.
Otebobo: The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to promptly reverse the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. According to a report by Punch News on March 9, 2025, SERAP described the suspension as "patently unlawful" and a clear violation of Akpoti-Uduaghan's fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months last week over allegations of "speaking without permission" and refusing to occupy her newly assigned seat in the Senate chamber. Alongside the suspension, her salary and allowances were withheld, and she was barred from identifying herself as a senator during the suspension period.
In an open letter dated March 8, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization cautioned that it would initiate legal action if the Senate President failed to reverse the suspension within 48 hours. The letter emphasized that no one should be punished for "speaking without permission," noting that holding a public office does not strip anyone of their fundamental human rights.
malali: Omokri is a Certified political prostitute who can sacrifice his mother for political relevance.
Akpabio is telling the world he suspended Natasha Akpoti for plenary misconduct on sitting arrangements.
Has akpabio forgotten when he entered a shouting contest with Saraki (then senate president in the senate)
It nearly turned into a fist fight, he was called to order by 4-5 other senators including senator Ndume. I have attached the picture and there is a video online as well.
Saraki did not suspend Akpabio for this unruly behavior. Now Akpabio is suspending people in the senate if you even look at him with side eye.
These are senators for crying out loud, they are there to represent their people ,if they have to raise their voice to be heard, it comes with the territory. he seems to want a bunch of meek, shy senators ? That will even ask him for permission to go and use the toilet.
henrysam: Just ask for forgiveness of sin. You were not there when this happened and Akpabio was never ready to defend himself. In a saner clime. He akpabio will have to step down and the two.of them will be investigated. But the senate used breached of order to suspend this woman without mentioning the issue of sexual arrasment. God is in the known of everything but we should not jump into conclusion.
In saner climes like when trump said he grab the asses of a beautiful ladies on vacation...
Step down over a case that's not even in court?
Step down over case that wasn't or is not yet looked into by senate ethics committee.
Step down on just allegations without proves
* So anybody can just wake up and say anything to any leader,and the leader will step down.
Make she use the 6 months go learn senate laws/rules...All this time she dey chop, wardrobe allowances, sitting allowances, health insurance, monthly allowances with empty head....The 6 months even too small ,I for like add 2 months extra...
amaridigital: Natasha should go and sit down somewhere. I don't blame her. I blame the Senate President flirting with an old lady with an overused kpekus who probably has kids already from different men. An overused borehole for that matter. If I have just one percent of the wealth Apabio has, I won't even look at most ladies above 20 years. My spec will be sweet chinese, latinos and the least i would ever consider in Africa are Ethiopian girls. I don't like girls that bleach their skin.
Her petition was dismissed because it constitutes a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Order.
Natasha signed the petition herself instead of having it endorsed by another individual, there by rendering it procedurally invalid.
That's technicality at work
This lady ought to study the Senate rules or hand book before putting any show,she seems to be lacking the basic knowledge on how things are done in the Senate....If she knew most of the rules ,she would curtail her drama... It's like order 10,is the only rule she knows.
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