- She disclosed that lawmakers are too scared to challenge or express differing opinions to any issue raised by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has expressed her revulsion at the inner workings of Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, the Senate.
She disclosed that the behaviour, attitude and disposition of members of the Red Chamber are akin to what you see from people in servitude.
Speaking during an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, she opined that the Nigerian Senate is not different from a secret society, adding that there is an ingrained culture of fear in the Senate
She disclosed that lawmakers are too scared to challenge or express differing opinions to any issue raised by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, fellows senators have been bullied into surrendering their freedom of speech as there is a palpable fear they risk losing opportunities and privileges if they venture to disagree with certain decisions take at the Red Chamber.
She said, “There is this culture of fear among the senators. If you dare to criticise the Senate President or express a differing opinion, you risk having all opportunities blocked, and you will not be allowed to speak.”
When quizzed further on whether she conveniently defend her allegations of misconduct against Akpabio, she nodded, saying she has evidence.
Aside from the earlier disclosure of how the former Akwa Ibom governor sexually harass at her, the legislator explained that there was another instance where Akpabio along with five other senators teased her with sexual innuendos for failing to wear her wedding ring.
She said, “There was another time when I was rushing to the Senate and forgot to put on my wedding ring. At the event, there were about five other senators who asked, ‘Natasha, why aren’t you wearing your wedding ring? Is there another way of betraying your husband?’
“There was also a time when he told me, ‘Natasha, your husband seems to be enjoying you, and you might be able to twist that beautiful waist of yours…’ He said that, and the others burst into laughter.”
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate for six months, following an face-off between her and the Senate President over the relocation of her seat.
Amid the impasse, Akpoti-Uduaghan, during a TV interview, alleged that the Senate President’s attack on her is not unconnected to her refusal of his amorous advances.
The Kogi legislator later took her case to the international community, by lodging a petition at a United Nations forum, International Parliamentary Union, alleging political victimisation
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