THE Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ken Okolugbo, has attributed the recent tension between his principal and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her lingering anger over her removal as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
Speaking today, Okolugbo stated that the dispute, which began over seat arrangements in the Senate chamber, was fueled by Natasha’s dissatisfaction with her committee removal.
“The fact of the matter was that her seat was removed, and there was already bottled-up anger because she was removed from the local content committee,” Okolugbo said.
The disagreement escalated when Natasha accused Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim he has strongly denied. The fallout led to the Senate suspending Natasha for six months today, citing a violation of its rules.
While reading the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Akpabio stated:
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended) for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium.”
Despite her suspension, Okolugbo believes the situation can still be resolved if Natasha offers a formal apology.
“The reality of it all is that all Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan needs to do is to apologise—a written apology. She has been given that window. Anybody deceiving her to the contrary is just ruining her political career,” he said.
Following the Senate’s decision, Natasha was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms. Before leaving, she declared, “This injustice will not be sustained.”