Senator Ned Nwoko has urged the Senate to remain firm in its decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that the legislative body must not succumb to “emotional blackmail or social media outrage fueled by half-truths.”
In a statement on Sunday, March 16, Nwoko, who chairs the Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation, criticised Natasha’s husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, for escalating the matter rather than seeking a resolution.
“I was also deeply disappointed by her husband’s reaction. I had expected him to find a way to de-escalate the matter to prevent it from becoming a full-blown crisis,” he said.
He noted that the Senate follows clear procedures, stating, “The Senate is not a chaotic town hall where emotions dictate decisions. Clear procedures exist for addressing grievances, presenting petitions, and debating national issues. Senator Natasha was not sanctioned for submitting a petition—she was sanctioned for her behaviour on the Senate floor.”
The crisis began when Natasha protested against the reassignment of her seat, an issue Nwoko described as routine in the Senate.
“The issue started with a simple matter—seat reallocation. This is a normal and longstanding practice in the Senate. I have personally been moved three times,” he explained, adding that the restructuring is based on seniority and party balance.
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He said Natasha refused to move, leading to a heated exchange. “She became uncontrollable, raising her voice and shouting, ‘I am not scared of you!’ We all saw the video. That display was completely uncalled for.”
Nwoko insisted that Natasha was given a chance to apologise but refused. “I personally reached out to her during this process. I sent her messages because, as a lawyer, I know that a person must be allowed to state their case before any judgment is passed. I asked her: ‘Are you prepared to apologise so that I can speak on your behalf?’ She responded that she did no wrong. That didn’t stop me. I told her directly: You are wrong. I watched the video. I saw what happened.”
Dismissing claims of gender-based suppression, Nwoko stated, “Some voices are framing this as an attack on women in politics. That is a manipulation of the truth. The Senate is not and has never been against women. However, no lawmaker—man or woman—is above the rules of the chamber.”
He also addressed Natasha’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, saying the Senate never deliberated on them.
“That matter is before the courts, and the courts will decide. It is highly unlikely that she will win such a case because the alleged incident supposedly happened over a year ago. She had multiple opportunities to report it to the Senate, the police, or any authority, yet she did not.”
The Senate had suspended Natasha for six months, barring her from all legislative activities and sealing her office. It, however, stated that she could be reinstated if she issued a written apology.