As stated on this page in my article “Ningi-gate: Macabre Dance in Public Domain,” the legislature is the most influential and powerful of the three pillars of the presidential system of democratic governance compared to the other two: the judiciary and executive. The relationship between the three arms of government is a perfect complementary system for transparency, accountability, checks, and balances to advance the cause of governance for the nation’s development.
The legislative arm is the heart and brain of government, as it can make and unmake the two different arms because it can have an overbearing influence on them, even though the judiciary is always a judge in a tussle between the executive and legislature. The executive formulates, implements, and funds government policies, projects, and programs in line with constitutional provisions, while the legislature regulates and oversees the executive and judiciary. The legislature has the power to summon the executive at short notice to discuss or explain issues of national interest whatsoever.
Since the commencement of the current political dispensation in 1999, after each general election, the most common observable feature is the role of unseen hands within the executive in directing and dictating the leadership formation of state and national assemblies—installing friendly leadership that not only usurps its power but also renders it a rubber stamp. This is why, more often than not, executives manage to influence even the most controversial issues without qualms at both state and national levels.
Budget padding is not an unlawful function of the legislature because it can amend and approve the budget. However, how it is done makes it morally unacceptable for the legislature to do so. The legislature increases funds for their so-called constituency projects, involving them in dubious transactions and shortchanging Nigerians. It is the prism through which Senator Abdu Ningi’s padding claims must be viewed. Ningi made the allegation during an interview with the BBC Hausa service during the 2024 budget preparation. He said that when the parliamentarians hired a private auditor, they discovered that N3 trillion had been added to the budget.
Furthermore, he informed the BBC Hausa, “For example, we had a budget of N28 trillion, but after extensive checks, we realized it was N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion? What are we spending it on?” Ningi’s allegation resulted in a suspension from the Senate and the loss of his privileges as a senator. Today, we are witnessing another suspension in the Senate under the same leadership of Senator Akpabio. This time, Senator Akpabio is accused of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha.
Natasha Hadiza Akpoti (born December 9, 1979) is a Nigerian lawyer and senator in the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District. As a member of the People’s Democratic Party, she is the first elected female senator from Kogi State. She is one of four female senators among the 109 male-dominated members in the red chamber. Nigerian politics is insensitive to gender.
The Senate President is facing a severe claim of sexual harassment, which goes right to the heart of gender equality and moral leadership in Nigeria. Sexual harassment is a widespread problem that reflects the more prominent social difficulties that women encounter in settings where men predominate, particularly in positions of authority.
The currency and topicality of Senator Natasha-Akpabio Palaver move with supersonic speed. Within five days of suspending her Senate privileges and stripping her of all rights as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, events unfold tangentially, raising questions and hypotheses that expose the Senate’s attempts to shield Akpabio, its president, from accusations of sexual harassment. They have already vilified Natasha, the accuser and alleged victim of the president’s purported sexual harassment.
In her interview on Arise TV, Senator Natasha alleged that her troubles in the Senate stem from rejecting the sexual advances of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She stated, “Mine is the case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”
Natasha submitted a petition about the harassment to the Senate, but it was dismissed because of a bizarre and unconstitutional Senate rule requiring petitions to be signed by another person. How does someone who wasn’t present during the harassment sign a petition?
Natasha is not the first woman to accuse President Akpabio of making sexual advances toward ladies. In 2020, Joi Nunieh, the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Nunieh claimed that Akpabio made inappropriate advances during her tenure, leading her to defend herself physically. She stated, “I slapped Akpabio for sexually harassing me.” In July 2024, rumors surfaced alleging a romantic relationship between Akpabio and popular Nigerian actress Dakore Egbuson-Akande. The actress swiftly denied these claims, labeling them as “wicked lies from the pit of hell,” and threatened legal action against those perpetuating the false narrative.
After the suspension, Senator Natasha took her case to the UN, demonstrating the lack of trust in Nigeria’s internal procedures to handle such accusations reasonably. In a patriarchal society that frequently protects the strong at the expense of the weak, it also emphasizes the structural obstacles women have while pursuing justice.
Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio denied the allegations and weathered the uproar, which would have forced his early political retirement in other climes but not in Nigeria, where he was elevated to a higher position of authority – number three citizen in the current political dispensation.
As a representative of a democratic government, the Senate is meant to uphold the values of justice, accountability, and fairness. However, Sen. Natasha’s suspension concerns a system prioritizing stifling dissent over addressing serious misconduct allegations. This decision sends a troubling message to senators and individuals who might dare to challenge the status quo or leadership, undermining the Senate’s credibility and mocking Nigerian democracy.
This tragedy significantly impacts the rule of law and democracy in Nigeria. Public confidence in democratic institutions is undermined when a legislative body tasked with drafting regulations for the benefit of the populace becomes a haven for impunity and abuses of power. The fact that Senator Natasha was suspended instead of having her claims thoroughly and openly investigated reveals a troubling disregard for responsibility and due process. It reinforces the notion that the Senate operates as a closed club where loyalty to influential individuals outweighs the principles of equality and justice.
Akpabio and his associates resisted all efforts to convey her side of the story, indicating that they had predetermined the issues before the overnight inquiry. Senator Natasha faced harsh sanctions, including being barred from approaching the National Assembly Complex with her staff. Her allowances are suspended for six months, her security details are withdrawn, all National Assembly items must be recovered, her office is locked and sealed, and she is prohibited from presenting herself locally or internationally as a Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator.
The suspension of Senator Natasha and Ningi reflects deeper structural issues within Nigeria’s Senate, revealing a constrained system where members cannot legislate on matters of transparency, good governance, and accountability. This situation underscores the fragility of democratic values, the persistence of patriarchal systems, and the urgent need for institutional reforms. For Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, the Senate must uphold the principles of equity, fairness, and the rule of law it seeks to enact. Anything less threatens the nation’s democratic future and undermines the people’s trust. Who will take the initiative to liberate the Senate so it can fulfill the roles that Nigerians desire?
Unless this matter is thoroughly investigated, we cannot ascertain whether Akpabio is guilty as charged. All responsible Nigerians are eager to uncover the truth and understand what kind of leader Akpabio truly is. Let the Nigerian people clearly see whether the Senate President is innocent or if the Red Chamber has become a stronghold for predators and oppressors, or a chamber for distinguished, honorable men and women of integrity. It is time to liberate the Senate. We are waiting.
