A group, Niger Delta Progressive Youths’ Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF) has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to step aside from his seat and allow for transparent investigation by the senate Committees on ethics, privileges and public petitions.
National President of the (ND-PYLF) Chief Diplomat, Amb. Adam E.O.O. Marbo in a statement on Thursday, said: Niger Delta Progressive Youths’ Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF) wish to call on the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, that you are a successful man. You have built a political career that has placed you at the highest levels of governance.
“You have influence, authority, and a name that commands attention. We do not
claim to know your mind…. you did not manage yourself very well as close
personality with Sen. Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.”
The statement further read:“For understanding why your leadership has repeatedly found itself in conflict with
powerful women. Do you really want to continue with this Ethics Committee
hearing? Do you truly want to proceed with disciplinary action against Senator
Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan? No reasonable mind fully supports her emotional
outburst, but as a leader, you must recognize the human reality behind it. She has endured enough—by her own account, she has been undermined, sidelined, and excluded. In that moment, she let it all out—not because she lacked control, but because she had been pushed beyond the limits of silent endurance.
“You often remind people that you have daughters. Surely, you understand what it
means for a woman to reach a breaking point after being ignored and dismissed for
too long. If this is truly about ethics, then fairness must apply to all. It must apply
not just to Natasha, but to the institution that has created an environment where
only four women stand among 105 men.
If the Ethics Committee moves forward with suspending her, it will not be seen as
discipline. It will be seen as retaliation. It will be seen as an institution punishing a
woman not for misconduct, but for refusing to be silent. It will be seen as a system
protecting itself against a woman who refused to stay silent.
“At a time when Nigeria should be focused on economic recovery, national security,
and governance, the focus is now on whether the Senate under your leadership is hostile to women in power. This is about, if the Nigeria Senate is a place where women can exist with dignity or a place where women are punished for demanding
respect. If you proceed with suspending her, it will not be interpreted as a
procedural matter.
“It will only make it a defining moment in Nigerian politics—one that history will
never forget. Mr. Senate President, Your Past Has Caught Up with You—And Now,
You Have a Crisis You Cannot Control. It is very important to state categorically, the
Niger Delta Progressive Youths’ Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF), has no personal or official relationship with Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, Mfon Patrick, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, or any other party involved in this matter.
“ND-PYLF focus remains solely on democracy, human rights, and fairness in good governance. This is about you, Mr. Senate President. Nigeria gains nothing from those dark ways—the cover-ups, the retaliations, the justifications. Be real and look deep into all of this. This is not about individuals; it is about the broader
implications of leadership, gender equality, equity, and institutional integrity in
Nigeria. Even if Nigeria is known for a judiciary that is compromised, even if
powerful figures can influence some judges, even if the legal system sometimes bends in favour of those in authority, even if you have influence over the police and security agencies, even if any women’s protest can be stopped by those in power with force, the world has taken this matter up.
“The issue is that this is not what you, as Senate President, need in these critical
times in Nigeria. The issue is that this is not good for you personally, not good for
your leadership, not good for your male-dominated Senate, and certainly not good for Nigeria and Nigerians.
It is important to state that, the dominant story in the social media is not about the
progress of the 10th Senate but about Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan’s lawsuit against you for defamation. Instead of focusing on the Senate’s legislative
contributions, the global conversation is about how Nigeria’s Senate President is
being accused of silencing female politicians and sexual harassments. Instead of strengthening your leadership, you have now made yourself a central figure in one of Nigeria’s most high-profile legal and gender equity battles.
Mr. Senate President, this is not the first time controversy has surrounded your
leadership when it comes to female politicians. While every leader faces challenges, the pattern of incidents involving women in governance under your leadership cannot be ignored.
“Mrs. Joy Nunieh, Who Spoke Out In 2020, when you served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Joy Nunieh, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC), accused you of harassment, intimidation, and corruption. She publicly stated that she had to defend herself from your advances by slapping you.
According to Joy Nunieh, I slapped him because he tried to harass me. He thought
that since I refused to take his money. He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl.
Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money or power.” Instead of addressing the allegations transparently, you questioned her credibility, dismissed her claims, and suggested she undergo a medical evaluation. Rather than responding with leadership; the situation became one where a woman in power was made to fight for her voice to be heard.
“It is important to say that in 2025, history is repeating itself—another strong woman
in power, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is standing her ground, and once again, the response seems to be suppression rather than dialogue.
“In July 2024, during a Senate plenary session, when Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan attempted to contribute to discussions, your response was: This is not a nightclub.” That moment has not been forgotten. A woman in governance, an elected senator, was reduced to a stereotype. Many Nigerians viewed it as a
reminder of the deep-seated bias that female leaders continue to face in political
spaces.
“A dramatic scene played out in the Senate chamber in December 2024, when
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), walked out in frustration after being prevented from presenting a motion on demolitions in the
nation’s capital Abuja by the instruction of the Hon Minister FCT.
“Another woman in governance trying to exercise her right to speak, and another
moment where she was denied that chance. Mr. Senate President, the Narrative Is Taking Shape. The more these incidents pile up, the clearer the picture becomes.
“This is no longer just about Natasha alone. This is about the growing perception that under your leadership, the Senate does not provide equal ground for female
politicians.
“The Chairman Senate Committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions as a
matter of fact to carry out their investigation in a transparent and unbiased committee to gain public trust and confidence on the allegations raised by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti
Uduaghan against the Nigeria senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio on the issue of sexual harassment and intimidation.
“We demand for Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio to step outside as the senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for proper investigation on the alleges issue of intimidation and sexual advancement against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“History will not forget, and the world is watching for transparent and unbiased
investigation by the senate Committees on ethic, privileges and public petitions.”
