Nigerian Senate snub calls for review, affirm Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension

The Nigerian Senate has upheld the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite calls from some lawmakers for a review of the decision.

The suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025, was imposed after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim that has sparked controversy.

The Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions had recommended her suspension, which also includes the suspension of her salary, allowances, and those of her legislative aides, as well as the withdrawal of her security escorts.

However, sources within the Senate revealed that some lawmakers, including Senators Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central, APC) and Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP), pushed for a committee to resolve the matter and to pass a vote of confidence in Akpabio.

Former Edo State governor and APC Senator Adams Oshiomhole reportedly opposed the idea, arguing that setting up a committee would portray the Senate as weak if it later reversed the suspension.

Similarly, Senator Victor Umeh of the Labour Party supported Akpabio and even proposed a Senate vote of confidence in him.

A source familiar with the deliberations disclosed: “Goje, Ningi, and Dickson were against the suspension. Goje and Ningi proposed forming a committee to address Natasha’s issue and conduct a vote of confidence in Akpabio.

However, Oshiomhole opposed any committee, saying it would make the Senate look weak if they backed down.”

Despite the pushback, the Senate eventually decided to let Akpoti-Uduaghan serve out her suspension.

This decision came a day after she escalated her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a global organization representing national parliaments from 181 countries.

Speaking on the matter, Akpoti-Uduaghan described her suspension as “illegal” and an example of the challenges women face in Nigerian politics.

“I am not here to bring shame to my country; I am here to bring help to the women of our country,” she stated.

She further explained: “On March 6, I was suspended as a Senator—illegally—because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I believed that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself, and both of us would submit to a fair and transparent investigation by the committee on ethics. Unfortunately, I was silenced and suspended.

“I was suspended for six months under stringent conditions: my security detail was withdrawn, all officials working closely with me as a Senator were removed, my salary was cut off, I was barred from appearing anywhere near the National Assembly, and for six months, I was prohibited from introducing myself as a Senator.

“Whether locally in Nigeria or internationally, that would imply that I am here illegally. But I have nowhere else to turn except to speak before you all, because this situation illustrates the reality of women’s rights in political representation. My suspension is not just about me—women make up only 2.8% of the Senate. Out of 109 senators, only four of us are women.”

She added, “My call for an open investigation into harassment has been met with hostility instead of accountability, in full view of the world. Imagine what ordinary Nigerians face every day.”

Following her complaint, IPU President Tulia Ackson stated that appropriate steps would be taken but only after hearing the other side of the story.

ThisDay Nigeria had reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan had resubmitted her petition against Akpabio, this time signed by a member of her constituency, Azamariya Mariya.

In the petition, she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of her legislative duties. She maintained that the matter was not before any Nigerian court, making it eligible for Senate deliberation.

The Senate referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for further review. However, her suspension has been widely criticized as an abuse of power.

Before her suspension, the committee chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, accused her of bringing the Senate and its leadership into disrepute. The committee recommended that for her suspension to be reconsidered, she must submit a written apology.