Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has reignited political tensions by issuing a fiery, sarcastic apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio — a move that throws fresh light on accusations of sexism and abuse of power within Nigeria’s Senate.
In a sharply worded letter dripping with satire, Akpoti-Uduaghan mockingly apologized for what she called the “crime” of maintaining her dignity and refusing to “comply” with certain unspoken expectations.
“How remiss of me not to understand that my refusal to indulge your… ‘requests’ was not merely a personal choice but a constitutional violation of certain men’s entitlement,” she wrote.
Adding a cutting jab, she continued: “Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.”
The Full Apology
In the letter, titled with biting irony, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote:
> “It is with the deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret that I tender this apology for the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect in your most exalted presence.
I must apologize for prioritizing competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors.
I now realize the catastrophic consequences of my actions: legislation delayed, egos bruised, and the tragic disruption of the ‘quid pro quo’ culture that governs certain quarters.
Please forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed her seat was earned through elections, not erections.
I remain,
Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken."
Background of a Bitter Feud
Tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio first boiled over in July 2024 when Akpabio, during a Senate session, cut her off with a remark seen by many as deeply sexist: “We are not in a nightclub.” Though he later apologized, the damage was done.
The feud escalated in February 2025 when Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging repeated inappropriate advances. Her complaint was dismissed by Senate leadership on technical grounds, but public sympathy largely tilted in her favor.
The Senate's subsequent decision to suspend her for six months — on unrelated grounds — only intensified public outrage. Protesters rallied across Nigeria under the slogan “We Are All Natasha,” demanding an end to what they described as gender-based political persecution.
Despite pressure from some political groups to issue a conventional apology, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defiant letter instead turned the tables, painting a damning picture of sexism, entitlement, and abuse of power at the heart of Nigeria’s political system.
Akpabio Denies Allegations
For his part, Senate President Akpabio has strongly denied all accusations, calling them “baseless” and threatening to sue for defamation.
Nonetheless, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bold letter has strengthened her image as a fearless critic of the status quo — a voice many Nigerian women now rally behind in the ongoing fight against systemic inequality in politics.
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