Atedo Peterside: Natasha Akpoti’s suspension disrespectful to her constituents

Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, has criticised the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central.

In an X post on Sunday, Peterside described the suspension as illegal, adding that it is also disrespectful to the senator’s constituents.

“The most disturbing aspect of the Nigeria senate hullabaloo around @NatashaAkpoti is that the Senate Leadership must be aware that her suspension for 6 months is ultra vires and also disrespectful to her constituents in Kogi State, but they don’t care,” he wrote.

BACKGROUND

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the senate for six months on March 6 after a heated dispute with Godswill Akpabio, the senate president.

The conflict began on February 20 when she protested a reassignment of her seat, calling it an attempt to sideline her.

She accused Akpabio of discriminatory treatment, leading to a heated exchange.

Days later, she told Human Rights Radio that the senate leadership was planning to suspend her to silence her.

The saga took a heavy turn when on February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan went on Arise TV, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.

She claimed he made inappropriate advances toward her in 2023 and, after she refused, began blocking her motions and orchestrated the seat change as retaliation.

Akpabio denied the allegations, and his wife, Ekaette, sued Akpoti-Uduaghan for defamation, demanding N350 billion in damages.

The senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions, chaired by Neda Imasuen, eventually recommended her suspension for six months, citing “gross misconduct” and violations of senate standing orders related to the seating dispute, not the harassment claims.

Her petition against Akpabio on sexual harassment was dismissed for procedural reasons, including that she signed it herself, violating senate rules.

Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected the suspension as “unjust” and “illegal.”

In a March 7 Facebook post, she said it undermines natural justice and vowed to keep representing her constituents.

Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken the fight to court, filing a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio.