Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has brought her case to a global platform following her recent suspension from the Senate, where she was accused of violating rules shortly after filing a petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Kogi lawmaker’s allegations against Akpabio and her suspension have continued to attract significant attention. On Tuesday, she addressed the Women in Parliament session at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Meeting at the United Nations in New York, advocating for justice and the involvement of international democratic bodies.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described her suspension as an infringement of her rights, asserting, “I was suspended illegally for submitting a petition alleging sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate. I believed that by raising the issue, he would step aside, and we could both participate in a fair investigation by the Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions. Instead, I was silenced and suspended.”
She emphasized that her struggle reflects a broader issue regarding the political exclusion of women in Nigeria, stating, “My suspension is not just about me. It highlights the systemic barriers women face in attaining political leadership.”
Following her remarks, Senator Natasha expressed concern for her safety, suggesting that powerful figures in Nigeria might attempt to detain her in New York for speaking out at the event.
The Senate’s decision to suspend her last week has sparked widespread debate across the nation. Despite her allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, her petitions were dismissed by her fellow lawmakers, leading to her suspension.
Senator Natasha remains resolute, vowing to continue her fight against “injustice.” In response to her allegations, Akpabio has firmly denied any misconduct and maintains that he has never assaulted women.
The conflict between them escalated on February 20, 2025, when her seat was changed during a Senate plenary. Their tensions are not new; in July 2024, Akpabio reprimanded her for her behavior, stating that the Senate is not a venue for casual discourse, although he later apologized for his comments.
