Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, took a bold swipe at Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Sunday, posting a satirical apology letter on her official Facebook page.
In a biting post laced with sarcasm, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan apologized for what she termed her “crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect” in the Senate, highlighting what she described as the Senate’s preference for personal compliance over merit under Mr Akpabio’s leadership.
“It is with the deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret that I tender this apology for the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect in your most exalted presence,” she wrote.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan further alleged that her refusal to entertain inappropriate sexual advances from the Senate President contributed to her suspension, suggesting that rejecting such conduct was treated as a violation of “unwritten rules” favoring powerful male figures.
She said, “Please find it in your magnanimous heart somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.”
The Senate had suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan on 6 March for six months, citing alleged misconduct during a plenary session on 20 February and refusal to comply with Senate sitting arrangements. The suspension came with several penalties, including withdrawal of security aides, closure of her National Assembly office, suspension of salary and allowances, and prohibition from presenting herself as a senator.
The Senate indicated the suspension could be lifted if she tendered a written apology, though Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan instead escalated the issue internationally.
On 11 March, she addressed an Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, seeking international intervention and alleging sexual harassment and political silencing efforts against her.
The IPU President, Tulia Ackson, stated that the organization would review both sides before taking action. Meanwhile, a Nigerian delegate, Kafilat Ogbara, argued at a press briefing that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was strictly based on Senate rules violations, not harassment claims.
Following her appearance at the IPU meeting, Nigeria’s internal and external intelligence agencies launched an investigation into how Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan gained access to the event, suggesting that she bypassed diplomatic protocols.
In an exclusive telephone interview with 9am News, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan explained she secured accreditation online as a senator, leveraging her previous participation and status on the IPU’s mailing list.
As of now, the IPU has not issued a final comment, and Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension remains in force.
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