By Uzair Adam
Suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio made inappropriate comments about her, including remarks about her waist.
In an interview with the BBC, she claimed Akpabio would “squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” adding, “We women, we know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way.”
Akpoti recounted an incident where she forgot to wear her ring and was confronted by Akpabio in the presence of other senators.
“There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work, and there were about five senators there.
“Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?’” she said.
She further alleged that Akpabio made another remark about her body, saying, “Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist.”
According to Akpoti, other senators laughed at the comments, highlighting how such issues are often overlooked in Nigeria.
“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?” she said.
Akpoti was suspended by the Senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” following a confrontation with Akpabio over seating arrangements.
The suspension came just a day after she submitted a petition accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment.
However, the Senate has insisted that her suspension was unrelated to the petition.