MARCEL MBAMALUThe Nigerian Senate has once again found itself at the centre of controversy with the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator representing Kogi Central and a vocal advocate for transparency and social justice.
While many have framed the issue as a gender clash between Natasha and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a closer look reveals deeper political undercurrents. Was this truly about gender, or is Natasha’s case a convenient distraction from more pressing national concerns?
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe disagreement between the duo began over a seating arrangement dispute in the Senate, which Akpoti-Uduaghan felt was done without her consent, violating her privileges. This incident occurred in early February 2025 when Akpabio ordered her to move to a new seat, which she refused, stating she would not be intimidated.
The situation escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging he made multiple unwanted advances towards her, which she rebuffed. She claimed this led to her being victimised by having her motions rejected and being denied the right to speak in plenary sessions.
Akpabio’s handling of the situation seems dismissive and authoritative, rather than de-escalating the tension. He denied the allegations, calling them baseless and stating that the seating arrangement was a routine administrative decision.
READ ALSO: Sexual Harassment: Senate Suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan For Six Months
On 5 March 2025, the Senate Committee on Ethics dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition on procedural grounds, and she was subsequently suspended for six months. However, one must question whether this controversy is truly what the Senate should be focusing on. Are seating arrangements really the most pressing issue at this time?
The Process of Natasha’s Suspension Swift
The process leading to Natasha’s suspension was fast, expected, curious, and instigated even when Natasha pleaded for her case to be referred to the ethics committee. Her insistence on fairness and adherence to Senate rules might be central to her frustration.
Maybe she felt that Akpabio’s actions were unjust, but does it seem realistic for someone to cook up a sexual allegation simply because of a seating dispute? Perhaps the Senate should have investigated the matter of sexual harassment, at the very least, to prove the Senate President’s innocence.
READ ALSO: Senate Rejects Natasha’s Sexual Harassment Petition Against Akpabio
Yet, the process appeared more like a political statement than a genuine disciplinary measure. The court had issued an interim order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics from proceeding with any investigation against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice. Despite this instruction, the Senate proceeded with the suspension, raising serious questions about respect for the rule of law and the fairness of the process.
Was this rapid action a case of due process being followed? Was it instigated to send a message? Or was it driven by the fact that Akpabio is the Senate President? If another senator or an ordinary Nigerian had made such allegations, would she be suspended? On the other hand, how many issues receive the kind of speedy action that Natasha’s suspension did? Perhaps, as usual, something deeper is at play, and Natasha’s case is merely a cover-up.
A Distraction from More Pressing Issues?
While the Nigerian Senate acted with record speed in suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, it remains agonisingly slow in addressing life-threatening national crises. This glaring inconsistency raises serious concerns about its priorities.
Insecurity is Spiralling Out of Control: Nigeria’s security crisis has escalated to terrifying levels. According to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), over 3,400 kidnappings were recorded in 2023, with numbers still rising in 2024 and 2025.
The Global Terrorism Index ranks Nigeria among the most terrorised nations in the world, with bandits, Boko Haram, and other armed groups wreaking havoc. Yet, the Senate and its committees have not implemented effective state policing to address these threats but acted swiftly in Natasha’s case.
Many communities in Nigeria remain completely destabilised and unprotected. Over 8,550 people were killed due to violent conflicts in 2023, a 20% drop from 2022 but still an alarmingly high number. The victims are not just statistics; they are real people; mothers, fathers, and children whose lives have been brutally cut short.
Most Critical is that Nigerians are Struggling to Afford Basic Needs
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate hit a staggering 34.8% in January 2025, marking one of the highest in recent history.
Food prices have skyrocketed beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, with staple items like rice, beans, garri, and even vegetables doubling in price within months. The removal of petrol subsidies and the naira’s devaluation have only worsened economic hardship.
The World Bank estimates that over 40% of Nigerians, roughly 90 million people, are living below the poverty line. The organisation also warns that by mid-2025, an additional 30 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity due to worsening economic conditions. This means millions could go to bed hungry every night, unsure of their next meal.
Also is Unemployment and Industrial Stagnation: Nigeria’s unemployment rate soared to 51.3% in 2024, with youth unemployment even worse, according to the NBS. This means over half of Nigeria’s working-age population is jobless, creating a dangerous situation that fuels crime and social unrest.
The manufacturing sector, which should be a key driver of job creation, grew by a mere 2% in 2024, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Industries are collapsing due to high energy costs, poor infrastructure, and an unfriendly business environment. Instead of tackling this crisis, the government continues to focus on political theatrics and seating arrangements.
Oil Wealth but No Fuel: A National Shame: Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, should be self-sufficient in fuel production. However, the country remains shamefully dependent on imported refined petroleum products due to a crippled refining sector. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) reported that despite a 5.7% increase in crude oil production in January 2025 (1.74 million barrels per day), Nigeria still imports over 90% of its refined petroleum.
Environmental Degradation: The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has consistently warned about the catastrophic pollution in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. Oil spills and gas flaring have turned the region into a toxic wasteland, contaminating water sources and farmlands. Over 40% of the region’s water sources are contaminated, exposing millions to cancer, respiratory diseases, and other deadly health risks.
Education: A Neglected Sector with a Bleak Future: Nigeria’s public universities are crumbling under chronic underfunding. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) revealed that over 70% of public universities lack basic infrastructure, such as adequate classrooms, hostels, and laboratories. Frequent strikes by lecturers have disrupted academic calendars, leaving students stranded for months.
Natasha’s Suspension: A Cover-Up for Bigger Issues
The lightning-fast suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan raises suspicions, proving how Nigeria’s political disciplinary actions are often used to distract citizens from urgent national crises. What is the government trying to divert attention from? While the Senate wastes time on internal disputes, millions of Nigerians are sinking deeper into suffering. The real question is: How much longer will Nigerians tolerate these misplaced priorities?
In all, while gender dynamics may have played a role, this case is more than a gender clash; it is a reflection of power politics, selective justice, and misplaced priorities in governance. Nigerians must remain vigilant, ensuring that legislative energy is directed towards policies that genuinely impact their lives, not just internal power struggles.
Dr Mbamalu, a Jefferson Journalism Fellow, Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Media/Communications Consultant, is the Publisher of Prime Business Africa (PBA).
Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a communication scholar, journalist and entrepreneur. He holds a Ph.D in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is the Chief Executive Officer Newstide Publications, the publishers of Prime Business Africa.
A seasoned journalist, he horned his journalism skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of News Editor at the flagship of the Nigerian press. He has garnered multidisciplinary experience in marketing communication, public relations and media research, helping clients to deliver bespoke campaigns within Nigeria and across Africa.
He has built an expansive network in the media and has served as a media trainer for World Health Organisation (WHO) at various times in Northeast Nigeria. He has attended numerous media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and Reuters/AfDB training on Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development of Africa.
A versatile media expert, he won the Jefferson Fellowship in 2023 as the sole Africa representative on the program. Dr Mbamalu was part of a global media team that covered the 2020 United State’s Presidential election. As Africa's sole representative in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships, Dr Mbamalu was selected to tour the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) as part of a 12-man global team of journalists on a travel grant to report on inclusion, income gaps and migration issues between the US and Asia.
