Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her case to the global stage, seeking international support over her suspension from the Nigerian Senate and her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded for intervention, claiming her suspension was an attempt to silence her.
Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was enforced by the Nigerian Senate following a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, led by Chairman Neda Imasuen. The suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025, is expected to last for six months. During her speech at the IPU meeting, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan described the ordeal as more than just a personal issue, stressing it represents the continuous suppression of women in Nigerian politics.
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According to her, the suspension was linked to her formal complaint against the Senate President, accusing him of sexual harassment. She explained that instead of a proper investigation, she was unjustly suspended. Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her disappointment, stating that her complaint was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges only minutes before her suspension was announced.
Responding to her claims, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele denied that her suspension was connected to her accusations against Mr. Akpabio. Instead, he insisted that she was suspended for allegedly violating Senate Standing Rules and ignoring established sitting arrangements during a plenary session on February 20.
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Despite these official claims, many Nigerians believe her suspension was retaliatory and politically motivated. Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted that her suspension came with harsh conditions, including the loss of her security detail, official vehicles, and other benefits. Additionally, her salary would be withheld, and she was restricted from presenting herself as a senator in both local and international functions for six months.
Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan admitted that attending the IPU assembly was against the rules of her suspension but insisted she had no choice but to seek international assistance. She expressed her frustration over the treatment she received, noting that her only intention was to have an impartial investigation into her harassment claims.
She also pointed out that her suspension represents a much bigger issue: the widespread discrimination against women in Nigerian politics. She emphasized that with only four women in the Senate out of 109 members, and her suspension reducing that number to three, there is an urgent need to address gender inequality and marginalization in leadership.
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Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan went further to describe her suspension as an attack on democracy, stating that powerful individuals were trying to silence her voice and prevent her from representing her constituents. She appealed to the IPU and other global organizations to step in and ensure her case is handled fairly.
The senator’s decision to go public with her allegations has sparked conversations about the treatment of women in political offices and how harassment claims are addressed in Nigeria. She emphasized that if a female senator can be treated unjustly, then ordinary Nigerian women are likely to face even worse oppression in workplaces, schools, and society at large.
As Mr. Akpabio is a member of the executive committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal could potentially attract international pressure on the Nigerian Senate to review her suspension. Should the IPU and other global bodies take action, it could lead to diplomatic interventions and further investigations into her allegations.
This case has put a spotlight on the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and political inclusion in Nigeria, with many hoping that Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courage will inspire change.
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