Senator Natasha Reports Her Suspension, Case Against Akpabio To UN Inter-Parliamentary Union
Senator Natasha reports her suspension case against Akpabio to United Nations inter-parliamentary Union.
Newera News gathered that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central constituency has reported her suspension from the Nigerian Senate and her case against Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
This move underscores the escalating tensions within Nigeria’s legislative body and raises concerns about the treatment of female legislators in the country.
You will recall that on March 6, 2025, the Nigerian Senate suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
The suspension followed allegations of misconduct, including refusing to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, and making disrespectful remarks against the Senate leadership.
The Senate’s Committee on Ethics and Privileges recommended the suspension, which also entailed the withdrawal of her office access, allowances, and security details.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that the suspension was due to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s persistent acts of misconduct and not related to her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Akpabio.
Bamidele, emphasized that her actions represented a direct challenge to the Senate’s authority and violated the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).
Sexual Harassment Allegations
Prior to her suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment.
She submitted a petition detailing the allegations, hoping for a transparent investigation.
However, the Senate’s ethics committee dismissed the petition, citing procedural rule violations. Akpabio has denied any wrongdoing, and the committee’s handling of the case has been criticized by women’s rights advocates, who alleged bias in the proceedings.
Appeal to International Bodies
In response to her suspension and the dismissal of her allegations, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed the Women in Parliament Session at the IPU meeting held at the United Nations in New York.
She described her suspension as illegal and indicative of the systemic challenges women face in Nigeria’s political sphere. She called for justice and intervention from global democratic institutions, highlighting her case as emblematic of the broader issues confronting Nigerian women in politics.
During her emotional address, she stated, “My suspension is not just about me, but it’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria. This is a clear case of political victimization, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption, and gender-based violence.”
Legal Actions and Public Reactions
Following her suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio, seeking 100 billion naira in damages. The case has intensified debates about gender representation and the treatment of women in Nigerian politics. Critics argue that her suspension reflects a broader pattern of marginalizing female voices in governance.
Women’s rights organizations and civil society groups have expressed solidarity with Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging the Senate to revisit the suspension and ensure a fair investigation into her allegations.
They argue that dismissing her claims without thorough examination sets a concerning precedent for addressing sexual harassment within governmental institutions.
The implications for Nigerian Politics
This incident has brought to the forefront issues of gender-based discrimination and the challenges women face in Nigerian politics.
The Nigeria’s parliament has one of the lowest representations of women globally, and cases like Akpoti-Uduaghan’s highlight the systemic barriers hindering female political participation.
The international attention garnered by her appeal to the UN and IPU may pressure Nigerian authorities to address these concerns more proactively. It also underscores the need for robust mechanisms to protect whistleblowers and ensure that allegations of misconduct, especially those related to gender-based violence, are investigated impartially and transparently.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and her subsequent appeal to international bodies have shed light on the intricate dynamics of gender, power, and justice within Nigeria’s political landscape. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Nigerian institutions will respond to both domestic and international calls for a fair resolution to her case and broader reforms to support women’s participation in politics.
What’s your thoughts on the raging debate? Is right for Senator Natasha to report this matter to the international community? Let’s have your take on this.
