Senate President Godswill Akpabio, via his media aide Kenny Okolugbo, has dismissed the assertions made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who claimed she was treated like a domestic servant and referred to Akpabio as a “dictator” during her suspension, labeling these allegations as “untrue.”
These remarks came after Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to her Senate office on Tuesday following several months of legal and administrative conflicts. Upon her return, she accused Akpabio of treating her as if she were a domestic servant, called him a “dictator,” and asserted that she had “no apology to tender” for her defiance.
He further stated that the Senate enacted a bill sponsored by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Kogi State while she was suspended, questioning why the lawmaker would make such a claim.
Okolugbo, speaking on Channels TV on Wednesday, provided background on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension. He indicated that the suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025, was enacted after the Ethics and Privileges and Public Petitions Committee presented its findings to the Senate, which deemed her conduct “despicable.”
He emphasized that the decision adhered to all Senate rules and regulations. “She attempted to resume in July, which was premature, because the judgment of Justice Binta Nyako did not order her reinstatement… it was merely an opinion stating that the six-month suspension was excessive,” Okolugbo clarified.
The media aide also underscored the privileges and achievements that Akpoti-Uduaghan experienced during her tenure, noting that she was inaugurated on November 2, 2023, and shortly thereafter appointed as chairman of the Committee on Local Contents. By January 2024, she had become a member of the International Public Parliamentary Union and ECOWAS committees, and had submitted three bills.
Okolugbo pointed out that one of Natasha’s bills, related to the Federal Medical Centre in Kogi State, was enacted into law while she was still under suspension.
“What is the number of senators whose bills have successfully become law? Furthermore, how could she now claim that she was subjected to treatment akin to slavery?” he inquired.
He emphasized that the Senate adhered to the appropriate protocols during her suspension and rejected any implication of personal mistreatment by Akpabio as untrue.
