A case study of  Natasha vs Akpabio: examining the cultural bias against confident women

It is the 6th of March, and the Nigerian Senate just passed judgment on a sitting senator– a culmination of the drama that has played out in the upper red chambers. The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has received a six-month suspension from legislative activities along with additional penalties.

The penalty includes a locked office, suspended salary and allowances, revoked security details, and a ban from the National Assembly for six months.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a turquoise hijab and black sunglasses, pulls her mic close and responds to the sentencing, “This injustice will not be sustained.” Then with a calm composure, she exits the National Assembly.

This sets the internet ablaze, with many expressing disappointment with the sentence. As I recount the events leading up to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, a question bubbles beneath: Why does society punish confident women? 

In women, confidence is often seen as arrogance, while in men, it is deemed a leadership quality. Ironic because upon closer inspection, both characteristics are the same, the only difference being the gender displaying said trait. But how did Akpoti-Uduaghan get to be one of the most divisive topic in 2025?

THE TIMELINE

On February 20th, 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, over a change in her sitting arrangements. The change was due to the defection of two senators to the ruling party, necessitating a change in the sitting arrangement. 

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that she was not informed about the change in seating arrangements and refused to acknowledge the new setup. During the day’s proceedings, when she raised her hand to speak on a motion, Senate President Akpabio informed her that she would not be permitted to speak until she complied with the changes. This led to an exchange of words, culminating in the Senate President ordering her removal from the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms.

Was all this drama really just about a change in seating? According to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, it was more than that, and it was the last straw.

On February 28th, 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstructing legislative work during a segment on national television. 

In her account of the alleged harassment, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that the Senate President, who has consistently denied these allegations, disregarded the motions she sought to advance in the chamber. Furthermore, she asserted that he linked the progression of these motions to demands for sexual favors. According to her, the Senate President suggested that if she “took care of him and made him happy,” she would be rewarded with significant opportunities within the Senate.

On March 4th, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a petition against the senate president on grounds of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. The petition was initially rejected due to technicalities but later accepted when the “error” was rectified. 

The reasons for the rejection, as stated by Committee Chairman Neda Imasuen, refer to Senate Rule Book Order 40(4). According to this standing rule, a senator is not allowed to submit a petition that they have signed themselves. The Senate Committee on Ethics described the petition as “dead on arrival.“

Two days after submitting her petition, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 during a plenary session held by the upper chamber, which could be described as a kangaroo court– a judicial proceeding that is considered to be unfair– presided over by the accused senate president.

The proceedings were quite a sight to watch as it seems that every once in a while, the Nigerian senate takes a leaf out of Nollywood’s book to remain relevant. This situation violates the principle of a fair hearing, known as “nemo judex in causa sua,” which means that no one should be a judge in their own case.

Ironically, her suspension came a few days before International Women’s Day. The coincidental timing sparked the question: If a powerful woman is silenced for speaking out, what hope is there for the average woman? How far exactly have we come as a nation to make females feel welcomed in the political space?

THE POLICING OF CONFIDENCE IN WOMEN

Traditionally, women are expected to be humble and down-to-earth, have ambitions (but not too much), and try as much as possible not to challenge their male counterparts. The “Humbled woman” trope has long been glorified in Nollywood, thereby perpetuating these stereotypes. 

Natasha vs Akpabio as a case study challenges the narrative that women should be silent amid oppression and points out certain biases at the core of our society; victim-blaming, a lack of adequate female representation in politics, and the policing of women’s appearances. 

For example, in a Facebook post, a legislative aide to the Senate president criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attire in the chamber, questioning her understanding of a lawmaker’s role and linking her behavior in the chambers to her appearance.

Forgive me, but I fail to see how the parallels connect. Nevertheless, this is a familiar sentiment– how beautiful women in positions of power must not know what they are doing because they are focused on their appearances. In contrast, the “humbled woman” must remain modest, not draw attention to herself, and above all, not be a baddie.

Another example saw former lawmaker Senator Adeseyi Ogunlewe (Lagos East Senatorial District) state,  “Natasha’s beauty is a challenge for her.” Before casting Ogunlewe to the 9th circle of hell, let’s examine his statement through the society’s lenses.

While it is natural and even expected to admire beauty, some elements of society have taken this admiration too far. There is an underlying belief that beautiful women—like Akpoti-Uduaghan—owe them a specific response. 

Self-control in the presence of beauty is not always exercised. However, it is a dangerous rhetoric when a woman’s beauty is described as a distraction, and could be damaging the Senate’s reputation. This rhetoric removes responsibility from the gazer. 

Out of four women in the 10th Senate, one has now been suspended, bringing the number down to three. All three women have been notably silent regarding the saga, including Senator Ireti Kingibe, a member of the Senate Ethics Committee. If the voices of women in power can be so easily dismissed, what does that mean for those without status or influence? 

The policing of confident women is not just an issue of politics—it’s a reflection of a broader cultural bias that demands women shrink themselves to fit into society’s narrow expectations. This bias is oftentimes foolheartedly enforced by the women themselves, as is evident in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case. 

Other prominent female figures in the senate, citing Senator Florence Ita Giwa, have made disheartening statements such as “By the time you’ve contested elections and entered the senate, you’ve passed that stage of your life of saying you’re sexually harassed.”

Former senate minority leader, Abiodun Olujimi said Akpabio “jokes a lot”, an opinion she shares with Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Relations. 

The issue of “jokes” being used as a disguise for something as harmful as assault has become all too common. It is disappointing that the Senate has chosen to engage in these kinds of rhetoric. Labeling a woman who asserts her boundaries as someone who can’t take a joke does not establish a positive precedent for addressing sensitive matters like this.

In response to these allegations, the Senate President’s wife has slammed Natasha with two defamation lawsuits, demanding N350 billion in damages for damage to her husband’s reputation. Interestingly, this would not be the first time a report on sexual misconduct was made against the now senate president. In 2020, Joy Nunieh, former acting managing director of the NDDC, accused him of making advances toward her, to which she slapped him.  

CHALLENGING THE SENATE

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s decision to speak up on the floor of the Senate against a powerful person, despite knowing the potential implications, speaks of her courage. Growing up in a society where the hidden constraints of “women should be seen and not heard” still secretly apply, Akpoti-Uduaghan is choosing to be a stubborn woman‒going against the very grain of the society. To quote Millie Odhiambo of the Kenyan Parliament, Good girls don’t get the corner office.

The case of Natasha vs Akpabio serves as an opportunity for the Nigerian senate to redeem its image as the home of lawmakers and not where caricatures are made out of issues that have far-reaching consequences for the nation. 

The Nigerian Senate now stands at a crossroads: Will it uphold the integrity of governance, or will it remain a stage for theatrics? Akpoti-Uduaghan has made her choice—now the question is, will the institution rise to meet the moment?