Natasha Releases Message As Senate Takes Decision On Sexual Harassment Claim Against Akpabio
- Cyril Fasuyi, senator representing Ekiti North, said Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Kayode Fayemi, a former minister of solid minerals during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, of selling the Ajaokuta Steel Mill
- During the plenary on Wednesday, March 5, Fasuyi said Fayemi would be submitting a petition in response to the purported allegation
- Fayemi released a statement saying his past engagements with Akpoti-Uduaghan "were strictly professional”, prompting the Kogi lawmaker to condemn Fasuyi for "lying against me right in the hallowed chambers while quoting the bible"
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, on Wednesday night, March 5, 2025, accused her colleague from Ekiti state, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, of "lying" against her.
Legit.ng recalls that Senator Fasuyi said on Wednesday, March 5, that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, had in the past, made false and defamatory claims against ex-Ekiti governor, Kayode Fayemi when he served as minister of mines and steel development.
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The purported defamation as alleged by Fasuyi was specifically regarding issues related to the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
Legit.ng gathers that Fasuyi said Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Fayemi, a former minister of solid minerals during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, of selling the Ajaokuta Steel Mill.
However, in a statement by Ahmad Sajoh, head of the Fayemi media office, the former governor stated that his past engagements with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan "were strictly professional, and any differences that arose were purely based on divergent policy perspectives, not personal grievances.”
Reacting to the clarification made by ex-governor Fayemi, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared a short statement on her verified Facebook page.
She said:
"Thank you H.E. @kfayemi for speaking truth out. My activity during his time as a minister was strictly an advocacy to revive Ajaokuta steel company.
"Shame unto Senator Cyril Fasuyi for lying against me right in the hallowed chambers while quoting the bible.
"Indeed, God is patient."
Godswill Akpabio-Natasha Akpoti saga
It would be recalled that Godswill Akpabio, denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by a Natasha.
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Senate President Akpabio told his colleagues on Wednesday, March 5, that he had been raised very well by his late mother and had never harassed any woman.
In a recent interview with Arise Television, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio had made inappropriate advances towards her during a visit to his residence in southern Akwa Ibom state, on December 8, 2023.
She said Akpabio had taken her by the hand, led her around his house, and made sexual advances towards her while her husband walked behind them, talking on his phone.
She further alleged that Akpabio had, on a separate occasion, insinuated that she should "take care of him" if she wanted her motions to receive favourable consideration in the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan faces six-month suspension
Meanwhile, the Senate has suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following the recommendations by the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions.
The suspension was announced after her explosive allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
The Senate also declared Natasha's sexual harassment petition dead on arrival.
Women's rights advocate, others react
Meanwhile, Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of TechHerNG, an organization advocating for women’s rights, has accused the Senate's ethics committee of bias in the way it has handled the sexual harassment allegations.
Agwuegbo told AP:
“The ethics committee to which her petition was referred has shown that it is not fit for purpose."
Similarly, Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC, criticised the Senate's decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He described the action as "disturbing and disrespectful to her constituents," highlighting concerns about the representation and treatment of elected officials.
"The most disturbing aspect of the Nigerian 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 ," Peterside posted on X.
Legit.ng, however, notes that the Senate maintains that Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension was due to "persistent acts of misconduct," including refusing to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, engaging in disruptive behaviour, and making abusive remarks against the Senate leadership, not due to the sexual harassment allegations.
Natasha vs Akpabio: Cleric speaks
In another report, Primate Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has told Senate President Akpabio to handle the sexual harassment allegations against him with utmost care, adding that it was revealed to him that the allegation was meant to bring him down.
The cleric in a trending video urged the Senate president to find a way to settle the matter amicably and protect his image locally and internationally.
He warned that Senate President Akpabio might not be able to protect his image at the international level even if he was able to protect it in Nigeria.
Article updated with reactions from women's rights advocate Chioma Agwuegbo, founder of Stanbic IBTC Atedo Peterside, and the Senate, by head of politics/CA desk, Nurudeen Lawal.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
