Senator Ned Nwoko has defended the Senate’s suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, dismissing claims of gender bias. He urged lawmakers to resist public pressure, stating her suspension was due to misconduct, not her allegations against Senate President Akpabio. Nwoko also criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband for escalating tensions.
Senator Ned Nwoko has called on the Senate to stand firm on its decision to suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi Central lawmaker, amid growing public criticism.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension followed a heated altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during which she accused him of sexual harassment. While the controversy has sparked outrage on social media, Nwoko insists that her suspension was due to misconduct during a legislative session, not her allegations against Akpabio.
In a statement on Sunday, Nwoko cautioned against emotional manipulation, stating that strong democratic institutions must remain governed by order and discipline rather than public sentiment. “This is not about silencing anyone,” he said. “It is about ensuring the Senate remains a place of reasoned debate, not theatrical disruptions.”
The senator dismissed claims that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was an attack on women in politics, pointing out that Nigeria has numerous respected female leaders who uphold institutional values. He revealed that he reached out to Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging her to apologize and seek a resolution, but she refused, maintaining she had done nothing wrong.
Nwoko further criticized the role of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, suggesting he could have handled the situation more diplomatically to avoid deepening divisions.
Despite mounting public pressure, the Senate has remained steadfast in its decision, arguing that rules and decorum must be upheld in the upper chamber. However, as calls for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement grow, the debate over whether her suspension was justified continues to polarize public opinion.
