Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused the Senate leadership of marginalization, claiming attempts to silence her through suspension, seat reassignment, and exclusion from key events. She alleges systemic intimidation but remains resolute in advocating for her constituents. The Senate leadership has yet to respond to her allegations.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that the Senate leadership is attempting to silence her through intimidation and exclusion. In an interview on Human Rights Radio, the Kogi Central lawmaker stated that plans are underway to suspend her, a move she insists will not deter her from serving her constituents.
Her remarks follow a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the reassignment of her seat. Akpoti-Uduaghan argues that the move was a deliberate effort to diminish her visibility and limit her participation in legislative debates. According to her, seating arrangements in the Senate play a crucial role in ensuring lawmakers' voices are heard, and her sudden relocation to a less visible section was an attempt to alienate her.
Beyond the seating issue, she claims to have faced other forms of marginalization, including exclusion from key international engagements. She alleges that she was recently removed from a Senate committee on claims that she was diverting resources from the Niger Delta to the North. Additionally, she asserts that her name was struck off the list of nominees for a United Nations event, forcing her to self-fund international trips that she believes are vital to her constituents.
Despite these alleged challenges, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains defiant, stating that she will continue to fight for representation and justice. The Senate leadership has yet to respond to her claims, but the controversy adds to growing concerns about internal politics and gender dynamics within Nigeria’s legislative chambers.
