The Nigerian Senate has clarified that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was not linked to her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This comes after Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, petitioned the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a global body that promotes democracy and human rights among national parliaments. She alleged that her suspension on March 6, 2025, was a direct consequence of her accusation against Akpabio.
At the IPU Assembly in New York, Nigeria’s parliamentary delegation, led by Kafilat Ogbara, countered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims. Ogbara, a House of Representatives member and Chairperson of the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, read a letter signed by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
The letter firmly denied any link between the suspension and the sexual harassment claim, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan was penalized for “gross misconduct and unruly behavior.”
“The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly rebukes the deliberate misinformation and false narratives being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” Bamidele’s letter read.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent acts of misconduct, blatant disregard for the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended, and gross indiscipline. Nothing more, nothing less.”
The controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation that she said contributed to her removal from the Senate chamber. However, the Senate insists that her suspension stemmed from a disruption she caused regarding seating arrangements in the chamber.
“If Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merits in line with its practice, but she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving,” Bamidele added.
The dispute has now escalated into an international matter, drawing the attention of the IPU, which advocates for legislative transparency and gender equality.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case highlights growing concerns about gender representation and alleged institutional bias against female lawmakers in Nigeria. Political analysts suggest that this incident could influence future legislative reforms and party politics.
With the Senate maintaining its stance, it remains unclear whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will seek legal redress or further diplomatic intervention.
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