Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged politicians and stakeholders not to allow the ongoing controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) to discourage the inclusion of women in leadership roles, particularly in political appointments.
Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, Akpabio once again criticized Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s handling of her ongoing dispute with the Senate, accusing her of bypassing due process and tarnishing the nation’s image on international platforms.
However, he made a passionate appeal for understanding, stressing that her actions should not jeopardize opportunities for other women, including his own children.
“I have four daughters, and I want to plead with politicians to still give them and other women a chance. The sins of one should not be used to punish others,” Akpabio stated.
The Senate President referenced the trajectory of the dispute, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan first presented her grievances as a petition to the Senate, but allegedly abandoned legislative deliberations in favour of litigation.
He lamented that before the court could adjudicate the matter, it had already been escalated to the international stage.
“She took the matter to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York after appearing on Brekete Radio and Arise Television, where she distorted the facts. This is an attempt to embarrass the country,” Akpabio said.
He commended Rt. Hon. Kafilat Okpara for offering a counter-narrative during the IPU event, cautioning the global community against drawing negative conclusions about Nigeria based on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s account.
Meanwhile, the controversy continues to escalate, as Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a contempt charge against Akpabio and three others for allegedly flouting a court order.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, names the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen—the Chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct—as defendants.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had granted an ex-parte order on March 4, restraining the Senate committee from conducting disciplinary proceedings against her.
The order followed a 25-paragraph affidavit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.
Despite the court’s directive, the Senate suspended the senator for six months, citing alleged misconduct. Her office was sealed, and she was directed to hand over official property to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
The suspension followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Imasuen, after a heated altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio on February 20.