Senator Ned Nwoko, representing the North Delta District, dismissed the claims of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for allegations of sexual harassment.
Naija News Senator Natasha accused Senate president of Godswill Akpabio Sexually harass her.
Senator Nwoko warned against seeing Natasha’s case in a statement on Saturday on 𝕏.
He explained that Kogi Central Senator was suspended for disobeying Senate rules rather than allegations of sexual harassment.
“It is important that we must separate facts from sensational attitudes and resist the growing trend of developing gender sentiment to mask disorderly behavior within the Senate. The Legislative Assembly Hall is not a battlefield for individual complaints or emotional outbreaks, but a place of order, debate and democratic principles.
“The recent outcry against Senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan has been twisted into a false narrative of victimization and suppression. Let’s be clear: she herself has confirmed this before the Senate was not her petition – but her behavior in the Senate is contrary to the etiquette of lawmakers,” He said.
Seat reallocation is standard Senate practice
Delta North Senator said seats in the Senate were a standard practice. He explained that it was wrong for the senator to refuse to allocate the seats he or she had.
“The problem starts with a simple question – seat redistribution. It’s a normal and long-term practice in the Senate. I’ve been moved three times in person.
“Whenever you leave for any reason, whether it is due to death, defection or otherwise, the seat arrangement is adjusted. This happens on both sides and is not for any individual. The idea is to ensure that seats are properly arranged based on qualifications, party balance and Senate rules.
“For example, a ranking senator is in the front row. If that senator leaves, the new member cannot just sit. Instead, everyone is shifting accordingly. It’s the process of multiple senators to achieve proper balance.
“Everyone is moving. It’s not just one person. The movement is carried out in a way that maintains the structure of the Senate. It’s not just where senior senators are. The arrangement has been reorganized in a way that ensures order and respects qualifications.
“This is a routine adjustment that has been happening. It’s not a new exercise. It’s not a goal for anyone. It’s how the Senate works.” He explained.
Senator Natasha refuses to act and causes interference
All Progressive Assembly (APC) Senators believe that Senator Natasha showed a disorderly way when he was asked to move to my all-simultaneous seat.
“That day, Senator Natasha was asked to move to a new seat. She did not comply, but refused. This is a problem in itself, because all other senators know that seat changes occur regularly.
“But what followed was even more worrying. She became uncontrollable, raised her voice and shouted, “I’m not afraid of you!” “We all watched the video. The display was completely inconsistent.
“In that moment, it was no longer a seat, but about discipline, order and respect for institutions. If every senator decided to make simple procedural adjustments in this way, the Senate would be insurmountable.” He narrated.
The Senate follows appropriate procedures
Nwoko defended the Senate suspension, noting that her suspension followed appropriate procedures. According to him, he contacted Natasha and asked her to apologize for her actions, which she refused.
He said:After the incident, the Senate Ethics Committee invited her to a disciplinary hearing. That is the appropriate process. The committee heard from those present that day that everyone agreed to her act in an unruly manner. The report submitted was clear–her behavior on the floor was unacceptable and she should be suspended.
“During the process, I personally contacted her. I sent her message because as a lawyer, I knew that before any judgment was passed, a person had to be given the opportunity to state their case.
“I asked her: ‘Are you ready to apologize so that I can speak on your behalf? Ask you for a chance to apologize.” She replied that she was not wrong.
“That didn’t stop me. I told her directly: “You’re wrong. I watched the video. I saw what was going on. The report before us was not about any claim of sexual harassment, but about her disorderly behavior. ”
Misogyny is not a problem – behavior is
He added that the Senate’s actions against Natasha’s actions were not attacks on women. He stressed that the Senate supports men and women and does not conduct gender discrimination.
“Some voices try to use it as an attack on political women. That is the manipulation of truth. Nigeria has many strong female leaders who succeed through discipline, strategic engagement and respect for the institutional process. The Senate is not, nor has it ever been against women.
“However, no legislator (man or woman) goes beyond the rules of the chamber. The problem here is not gender. People expect all senators to behave with manners and respect for the institutions they serve. The rules of participation apply equally to all members, and when senators repeatedly violate these rules, there must be consequences,” he said. He said.
Sexual harassment charges never before the Senate
Senator Nwoko added that the Senate did not conduct sexual charges in court. He added that Natasha probably won’t win her case against Akpabio’s sexual harassment allegations.
“One thing that must be clear is that the Senate has not considered any sexual harassment allegations. This is before the court, and the court will decide.
“It is very unlikely that she will win a case like this because the alleged incident is said to have happened a year ago. She has many opportunities to report it to the Senate, the police or any authority, but she hasn’t.
“Even after this incident, she traveled several times with the Senate President’s international events, which are well documented. She was in the same space with him, attended meetings with him, and was often with her husband during these trips.
“To stand up and narrow these allegations to a specific day, when her husband is in scope, when others are present, the Senate President’s wife is in the family house, it raises serious questions. This kind of discussion is highly unlikely to take place in such an environment.He said.
Her husband’s role in this upgrade
Delta senator further expressed dissatisfaction with Natasha’s husband Emmanuel Uduaghan. According to him, Mr. Uduahan could have lowered the problem.
“I was very disappointed by her husband’s reaction. I had hoped he would find a way to downgrade the matter to prevent it from turning it into a mature crisis.
“I told him exactly how I felt when he made a statement and reaction to me. If my wife was in this situation, I would do everything possible to resolve the issue privately in a way that would not lead to further division.
“It’s even more surprising because her husband was already friends with the Senate president before marrying Natasha. It would have been possible that without this unnecessary public drama,He added.
