Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, claims that her recent suspension from the National Assembly was orchestrated from the outset and driven by political motives rather than any procedural misconduct. In an exclusive interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the events of March 6 as a “calculated plan” rather than a spontaneous reaction to her actions in the Senate.
The senator refuted allegations that she caused a disruption over her seating arrangement, labeling these claims as outright falsehoods. “The impression being circulated is that I caused a scene over my seat. That is false,” she asserted. Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that she had raised a matter of privilege under the Senate rules, which required immediate attention, only to be cut off by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She characterized his subsequent actions, including ordering her removal and initiating her suspension letter, as part of a pre-existing agenda.
Criticizing Akpabio for abusing his legislative authority, she stated, “He has no authority to unilaterally suspend any senator on the floor. The way he handled it — like I was a staff member in his living room — was not only unlawful but also degrading.” Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her belief that her suspension was retaliatory, following a formal petition she had filed against the Senate leadership just a day earlier.
Addressing allegations made by fellow senator Sandra Duru about her supposed intent to undermine a southwestern-led government, Akpoti-Uduaghan firmly denied any tribal bias. “People who know me know that I am not a tribalist. I respect and appreciate every tribe in Nigeria,” she maintained, emphasizing her multicultural background as a half-Nigerian, half-Ukrainian individual.
She speculated that Duru’s allegations were motivated by political interests feeling threatened by her rising popularity among Nigerians. “Her sponsors are the ones who have probably put those words to her because they knew that I had enjoyed a lot of support from Nigerians — not just in Kogi state, but across the country and even in the diaspora,” she said.
Furthermore, Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that her good rapport with President Bola Tinubu may have contributed to the animus against her from the Senate President. “The senate president knows that I enjoyed a good relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she stated, noting an instance when Akpabio questioned her husband about her visits to the President.
Clarifying her position, Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that her conflict lies specifically with the Senate President and is not an indictment against the entire Senate or the presidency. “I want the people to know my issue is with the Senate President — not the entire Senate, the Nigerian people, the institutions, or the presidency,” she stressed.
Following the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for alleged gross misconduct related to a seating altercation with Akpabio. She firmly contests the legality of her suspension and views it as a mechanism to silence her voice within the legislative process.