A Trade of Billions: Senators Allegations and Lawsuits Need Calls for Legislative Scrap in Nigeria
By Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Re: Sexual Harassment: Akpabio’s wife storms court, demands N250bn from Senator Natasha
Re: N100bn Suit on Akpabio over alleged Defamation – Akpoti-Uduaghan Natasha is demanding N100 billion in general damages and also N300 million to cover litigation costs.
Nigeria’s political landscape is once again rocked by controversy, this time involving an alleged defamation lawsuit between the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The case, which centers around allegations of sexual harassment, has escalated into a legal “demand of ₦250 billion in damages from wife of Senate President” while Akpoti-Uduaghan Natasha is “demanding N100 billion in general damages and also N300 million to cover litigation costs.”
As the drama unfolds in court, political analyst and former presidential candidate Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies has seized the moment to advocate for a radical restructuring of Nigeria’s governance system—calling for the outright scrapping of the Senate and the House of Assembly.
These two unfolding narratives raise critical questions about the state of governance, accountability, and political priorities in Nigeria. While one issue highlights a high-profile legal battle, the other underscores the growing dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s legislative system. This article delves into both issues, examining their implications for Nigeria’s political future.
The Legal Battle: Alleged Sexual Harassment and a ₦250 Billion Lawsuit:
The controversy began when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. This accusation, made in the public sphere, triggered a strong reaction from Unoma Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President. Viewing the allegations as defamatory and damaging to her family’s reputation, she took the case to court, demanding ₦250 billion in damages.
This legal action has raised eyebrows for several reasons:
The Enormous Sum Involved: The demand for ₦250 billion—an amount that dwarfs many national budgets—has been met with skepticism. Many Nigerians question whether such a sum is justifiable in a country struggling with economic crises, unemployment, and infrastructural decay.
The Political Undercurrents: Some political analysts view this lawsuit as more than just a defamation case. Given the history of political rivalries in Nigeria, there are speculations that the lawsuit may be a means to silence opposition voices or settle political scores.
The Broader Conversation on Sexual Harassment in Politics: While the lawsuit is centered on defamation, it inadvertently brings to light the issue of sexual harassment in Nigerian politics. If Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations are true, it raises concerns about the treatment of women in power. If false, it highlights the weaponization of allegations in political battles.
This case, therefore, is not just about one senator versus another—it is a reflection of deeper issues of power, gender dynamics, and political maneuvering in Nigeria.
A Call for Legislative Overhaul: Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies’ Radical Proposal: While the Akpabio-Uduaghan lawsuit continues to make headlines, another pressing conversation has emerged from the controversy. Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, a scholar, politician, and former presidential aspirant, has taken a bold stance—calling for the complete abolition of Nigeria’s Senate and House of Assembly.
Her argument is based on the belief that Nigeria’s legislative system has failed to deliver good governance and has instead become a drain on national resources. “Just see how these women are speaking in hundred of billions while Nigerians languish in abject poverty, so shameful.” – stated Adesanya-Davies.
Some of her key points include:
Legislators Are Overpaid with Little to Show:
Nigerian lawmakers are among the highest-paid in the world, yet the country continues to struggle with poor infrastructure, poverty, and economic instability. Reports suggest that senators earn millions in allowances while failing to pass laws that truly benefit the common citizen.
Corruption and Self-Interest in the Legislature:
Nigeria’s National Assembly has often been accused of corruption, budget padding, and financial mismanagement.
Rather than serving as a check on the executive arm, the legislature is often seen as complicit in corrupt dealings.
A Need for a Leaner, More Effective Government:
Adesanya-Davies proposes a smaller, more accountable system of governance, arguing that reducing or restructuring the legislative arm could save Nigeria trillions of naira.
Some have suggested a unicameral system (one legislative chamber) or an alternative model where lawmakers serve on a part-time basis rather than as full-time politicians draining national resources.
Her radical stance may drawn mixed reactions. While some Nigerians may agree that the National Assembly is ineffective, others may argue that scrapping it outright could lead to unchecked executive power. Instead of abolition, some may propose reforms to make the legislature more accountable.
What This Means for Nigeria’s Future:
Both the legal battle and the call for legislative reform highlight fundamental issues within Nigeria’s governance system. The lawsuit underscores the toxic political atmosphere, where personal and political battles often take precedence over national development. Meanwhile, the demand to scrap the National Assembly reflects deep public frustration with the current state of governance.
Key Questions Moving Forward:
Will the ₦250 billion and ₦100 billion lawsuit set a dangerous precedent for defamation cases in Nigeria? If successful, this lawsuit could encourage other politicians to use the courts as a means of silencing opposition.
Is Nigeria ready for a legislative overhaul? While public dissatisfaction with the legislature is high, is scrapping the system entirely the solution? Or would reforms—such as reducing salaries and increasing accountability—be more effective?
How will this affect Nigeria’s 2027 elections As elections approach, these issues may influence political campaigns, with citizens demanding more accountability from politicians.
The unfolding events surrounding the Akpabio-Akpoti-Uduaghan lawsuit and Prof. Adesanya-Davies’ call for legislative reform reflect a deeper crisis in Nigeria’s governance. While the lawsuit captures the personal and political power struggles among Nigeria’s elites, the call for scrapping the legislature echoes the frustrations of everyday Nigerians who feel neglected by their leaders.
At its core, these debates are about power, accountability, and the future of Nigeria’s democracy. Will Nigeria’s political leaders rise to the occasion and implement meaningful reforms, or will the country remain trapped in a cycle of billion-naira scandals and legislative inefficiency? Only time will tell.
To conclude, following an ungoing legal battle involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which has sparked a debate about governance in Nigeria; the lawsuit, in which the wife of Senate is reportedly demanding ₦250 billion in damages, while Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking for ₦100 billion in damage over the senate President’s behavour and attitude; Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies’ calls for scrapping the Senate and House of Assembly as a radical stance.
This is reflecting growing frustration over individual comportment and governance issues. While such an idea might seem extreme, it does highlight the broader concern that many Nigerians feel about the uneffectiveness of the legislative arms.
Comments
1st, Mar, 2025
Criminals and their spouses are the ones that always run to the court where they have stooges as judges to coerce the masses by keeping them quiet. Akpabio is a “bomb”
Charity.
1st, Mar, 2025
Hmmmmm! My genders know how to support their husbands even when they know that they cannot control their manhoods at the end the men will stay disgrace them. Allow the men to speak for themselves, you must not defend what you know nothing about. Give the your moral support behind.
Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, a Nigerian former female Presidential Candidate is a Professor of Applied Linguistics, a Political Analyst and a Public Commentator.
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