Senator Nwoko Faults Attempts to Twist Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension Into Gender Victimization
ABUJA/Nigeria: Amid growing controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko has called for a clear distinction between factual events and emotional narratives, asserting that discipline and order in the Senate must not be compromised.
Senator Nwoko, representing Delta North, condemned what he described as an attempt to misrepresent the Senate’s actions as an attack on women in politics, emphasizing that the issue at hand was about decorum and legislative procedure, not gender-based discrimination.
“The recent outcry over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been twisted into a false narrative of victimization and suppression. Let it be clear: what was before the Senate was not her petition—something she herself has confirmed—but her conduct on the Senate floor, which violated the decorum expected of lawmakers,” Nwoko stated.
He explained that the incident stemmed from a standard seat reallocation process, which has long been a norm in the Senate. According to him, such adjustments occur whenever a senator vacates a seat due to death, defection, or other circumstances, ensuring proper seating arrangements based on seniority and party balance. Nwoko noted that he himself had been moved three times, reinforcing that the exercise was not an act of targeting any individual.
However, the situation escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly refused to move to her newly assigned seat and disrupted Senate proceedings. “On that day, Senator Natasha was asked to move to a new seat. Instead of complying, she refused. That, in itself, was already an issue because every other senator understands that seating changes happen regularly,” he said.
He added that her subsequent actions—raising her voice and shouting, “I am not scared of you!”—violated the principles of order and discipline expected of a lawmaker. Nwoko stressed that her suspension was a result of her disorderly conduct, not an attempt to silence her.
“The Senate Committee on Ethics invited her for a disciplinary hearing, following due process. The committee reviewed the incident and confirmed that she had acted in an unruly manner. The report that was submitted was clear—her conduct on the floor was unacceptable, and she should be suspended,” Nwoko explained.
The Delta North senator further disclosed that he had personally reached out to Akpoti-Uduaghan, advising her to apologize to the Senate to prevent her suspension. “I asked her: ‘Are you prepared to apologize so that I can speak on your behalf?’ She responded that she did no wrong. I told her directly: You are wrong. I watched the video. I saw what happened,” he said.
On allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Nwoko clarified that such claims were never brought before the Senate. He argued that the matter, which allegedly took place over a year ago, was only raised after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, making it questionable. “She had multiple opportunities to report it to the Senate, the police, or any authority, yet she did not. Even after this alleged incident, she traveled multiple times with the Senate President for international events, well-documented online,” he pointed out.
Nwoko warned against the exploitation of gender sentiments to justify indiscipline in the Senate. “Nigeria has many strong female leaders who have made their mark through discipline, strategic engagement, and respect for institutional processes. The Senate is not and has never been against women. However, no lawmaker—man or woman—is above the rules of the chamber,” he stated.
He also criticized the role of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband in escalating the crisis, expressing disappointment that he did not seek to de-escalate tensions despite being a long-time friend of the Senate President. “If my wife were in such a situation, I would do everything possible to resolve the issue privately, to manage it in a way that does not cause further division,” he remarked.
Senator Nwoko concluded by urging the Senate to uphold its integrity, resist emotional manipulation, and ensure that discipline remains a guiding principle in legislative affairs. “The Senate must not bow to emotional blackmail or social media outrage fueled by half-truths. Nigeria’s democracy thrives when its institutions are strong, disciplined, and governed by rules—not when they are manipulated to serve personal or partisan interests,” he asserted.
