Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly refuted the content of a Facebook livestream aired on May 1, 2025, by an individual identified as Sandra C. Duru. In a public statement, Senator Natasha described the livestream — which included a voice allegedly attributed to her — as entirely fabricated and manipulated to push a hidden agenda orchestrated by Sandra Duru in support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“The statements made in that video are false and have no connection to any real interactions involving me,” she asserted. “I also recently discovered that the woman now known as Sandra Duru had previously used the alias ‘Prof. Mgbeke’ on Facebook.”
The senator hinted at a more comprehensive response in the near future, stating she would address the “unfounded allegations” in detail at the appropriate time.
Accusations, Suspension, and Fallout
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan initially came forward with sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Akpabio during a televised interview in February 2025. She alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate remarks and insinuated that her legislative proposals would only progress if she “took care” of him. She further claimed that he invited her to spend private time with him.
Senator Akpabio categorically denied these allegations, insisting he had never harassed any woman. He called on the public to allow the courts to handle the matter objectively.
The controversy escalated on March 6, 2025, when the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months without pay. The official reason cited was “unruly and disruptive conduct.” However, her harassment complaint was dismissed on a technicality, as she submitted it herself rather than through another senator — a violation of Senate protocol.
Her suspension was preceded by a disagreement over a new seating arrangement in the Senate chamber, which she interpreted as a deliberate attempt to embarrass her. Later, during a national television appearance, she claimed that the suspension was a direct consequence of her refusal to comply with Akpabio’s alleged sexual advances — an assertion Akpabio again denied.
The Senate offered to lift the suspension if she issued a written apology. However, this demand only intensified public backlash. The incident ignited nationwide protests under the slogan “We Are All Natasha,” with rallies erupting in Lagos, Enugu, Edo, and Kaduna. Many supporters condemned the Senate’s action as politically motivated and discriminatory.
Senator Natasha labeled the suspension a “witch-hunt,” aimed at silencing her voice. She took her fight beyond Nigeria’s borders, addressing the issue at a Women in Parliament conference at the United Nations. There, she denounced the Senate’s actions as illegal and appealed for international solidarity.
In a separate development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected a petition seeking her recall, stating that it failed to meet the legal requirements set forth in the constitution.
This confrontation between Senators Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio is not their first. In July 2024, during a Senate session, Akpabio rebuked her with the words, “We are not in a nightclub,” after she spoke without being formally recognized. The remark was widely condemned as sexist and inappropriate, prompting Akpabio to issue a public apology.
