The controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate has escalated to the global stage, as the embattled lawmaker seeks justice at the United Nations (UN) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Suspended last week for allegedly violating Senate rules, the Kogi Central Senator claims her suspension is a direct retaliation for submitting a petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment and other misconduct—allegations Akpabio has vehemently denied.
Addressing the Women in Parliament session at the IPU meeting in New York, Senator Natasha decried her suspension as an attack on democracy and women’s political representation in Nigeria.
“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I thought he would recuse himself, and we would both submit to a fair, transparent investigation. But instead, I was silenced,” she declared.
The outspoken lawmaker framed her ordeal as a reflection of the systemic challenges women face in Nigerian politics.
> “This is bigger than me. This is about the crisis of women’s political representation. My suspension is not just about Natasha; it’s about the deliberate exclusion of women from leadership,” she stated, drawing applause from the audience.
Following her explosive speech, Senator Natasha expressed concern for her safety, alleging that powerful figures in Nigeria might attempt to detain her in New York to silence her further.
Her suspension has sparked nationwide debate, with civil society groups and women’s rights advocates questioning the legality of the Senate’s action. Critics argue that rather than investigating the allegations against Akpabio, the Senate opted to punish the whistleblower.
Senator Natasha’s conflict with Akpabio dates back to July 2024, when he rebuked her for alleged misconduct, infamously remarking that the Senate was “not a nightclub.” Though he later apologized, tensions between them remained high.
The rift intensified on February 20, 2025, when her seat was abruptly changed during plenary, a move she perceived as an attempt to undermine her. Days later, she submitted a petition against Akpabio, which was swiftly dismissed by lawmakers before her suspension was announced.
Senate President Akpabio has categorically denied all allegations of misconduct, dismissing them as baseless. He maintains that his record with women remains untarnished and insists the Senate followed due process in suspending Senator Natasha.
A Fight to the Finish?
Despite the Senate’s actions, Senator Natasha remains defiant, vowing to continue her battle against “injustice and oppression.” With the issue now under international scrutiny, the world watches as Nigeria’s legislative chamber navigates one of its most contentious political storms.
Will the global spotlight force a reconsideration of her suspension, or will the Senate dig in its heels? As the saga unfolds, one thing is certain—this battle is far from over.
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