Renowned banker Atedo Peterside has criticized the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it unlawful and an insult to her constituents in Kogi Central.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Peterside stated:
“The most disturbing aspect of the Nigeria Senate hullabaloo around @NatashaAkpoti is that the Senate Leadership must be aware that her suspension for 6 months is ultra vires and also disrespectful to her constituents in Kogi State, but they don’t care.”
How the Dispute Unfolded
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension on March 6 followed a heated disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
- The conflict began on February 20 when she protested a seat reassignment, calling it a deliberate move to sideline her.
- She accused Akpabio of discriminatory treatment, leading to a tense exchange.
- Days later, she alleged on Human Rights Radio that the senate leadership was plotting her suspension.
Sexual Harassment Allegation & Legal Battles
On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated the controversy by appearing on Arise TV, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.
- She claimed he made inappropriate advances in 2023 and retaliated by blocking her motions and orchestrating the seat reassignment after she rejected him.
- Akpabio denied the allegations, while his wife, Ekaette Akpabio, sued Akpoti-Uduaghan for N350 billion in damages over defamation.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Neda Imasuen, later recommended her suspension, citing “gross misconduct” over the seating dispute—not the harassment allegations.
Additionally, her sexual harassment petition was dismissed on procedural grounds, as she signed it herself, violating senate rules.
Akpoti-Uduaghan Fights Back
Rejecting her suspension as “unjust” and “illegal”, she vowed to continue representing her constituents.
On March 7, she took legal action, filing a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio.
Her suspension has sparked outrage, with critics like Peterside insisting it is a violation of democratic principles and an attempt to silence opposition voices in the Senate.
