Ireti Kingibe, the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has expressed concerns over claims made by Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, regarding a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio, sparking a heated debate during the plenary session on February 20.
In a candid interview on Arise TV on Friday, Kingibe challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertions, emphasizing that her colleague had received more privileges than other female senators.
Kingibe noted that seat changes in the Senate were not unusual and that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s situation was not unique.
“Silence is golden, especially when one of us is not following the rules,” Kingibe remarked, stressing that as women in the Senate, they had hoped such matters would resolve quietly without the need for public confrontation.
“We didn’t want to come out publicly and say anything negative about her. We were hoping this would blow over, as many things do.”
Kingibe also stated that the Senate should not be a battleground for issues as trivial as seating arrangements, underlining the importance of adhering to the Senate’s rules.
She revealed that multiple senators, including men, had experienced seat changes, further suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case was not an isolated one.
“I wasn’t there on the day of the incident, but I gathered that several men were also moved,” Kingibe added.
The FCT Senator went on to explain that while the Senate may not always be “gender friendly,” progress has been made in creating a more inclusive environment.
“The truth is, when we make a fuss and draw the attention of the Senate President, he corrects it.
The Senate can do better, but there’s hardly anything done to us that hasn’t been done to other men as well.”
Kingibe also revealed that Akpoti-Uduaghan had benefited from the most privileges among the four female senators.
“The seat I sit on now has been moved four times,” she disclosed, adding that other female lawmakers should follow the rules of the institution.
On the allegations of sexual harassment, Kingibe clarified that she had no direct involvement in the matter with Akpabio. “I’m not that close to
Akpabio to discuss this issue,” she said. “I collected some documents for Senator Natasha, informed her, and went to her house. She told me that she was supposed to meet Akpabio, but he suggested they meet at a hotel.”
Kingibe’s comments have sparked further discussion about the internal dynamics within the Senate, as well as the treatment of women in the National Assembly.
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