By Gwurld4026 
Fear of Victimization: Inside the Senate’s Culture
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has characterized the Nigerian Senate as operating akin to a “cult,” where lawmakers often refrain from expressing dissenting opinions due to fear of victimization.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, discussed the challenges within the legislative body. She highlighted that many senators suppress their contrary views to avoid potential retaliation, suggesting a culture that discourages open debate and transparency.
This interview follows her six-month suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025, for alleged misconduct, including not sitting in her assigned seat and speaking without recognition. Akpoti-Uduaghan contends that her suspension is a tactic to silence her, especially after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim Akpabio has denied.