SENATOR Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her suspension by the Senator Godswill Akpabio-led Senate to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, a United Nations agency based in its New York headquarters.
Natasha reported the President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio to the IPU, in a move that escalates what had been seen as a Nigerian problem.
Natasha’s presentation in New York, shown on Channels TV, was on Tuesday 11 March 2025, and she said the suspension was over her petition where she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I will like to apologise to Hon. Kafilat Ogbara. I am not here to bring shame to our country, I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria,” she told the IPU gathering.
“Five days ago, on the 6th of March 2025, 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 thought by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the committee of ethics, privileges and public petitions for a fair and transparent investigation.
“But unfortunately, I was silenced, and I was suspended for six months among many other stringent conditions, such as taking away my security, taking away all the official vehicles and other items that were handed over to me as a Senator.
“My salary would be cut off. I must not appear anywhere near the National Assembly. And for six months, I am not to present myself as a Senator locally in Nigeria and internationally. I am here illegally, and I have no other place to go but to come here”.
She said her suspension is not just about her, but about the exclusion of women in political leadership in Nigeria.
“This is a clear case of political victimisation, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption and gender-based violence,” she added.
Incidentally, the 6 March suspension came two days to the 2025 International Women’s Day which was themed, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”.
The 2025 Women’s Day was also in the year of the 30th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The Beijing Declaration included intentional policies to enhance spaces for women in governments through elections and appointments.
Nigeria is behind in the implementation of the Declaration with gross losses made in earlier gains with more women in governments in the first 20 years after Beijing, especially in the administrations of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan.
The Senate’s suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months arising from the recommendations of its Ethics and Privileges Committee, has been vastly condemned because Natasha was denied opportunities to speak and Akpabio who she accused of impeding her work in the Senate, presided over the session.
Moreover, the courts had decided since 2010 that the National Assembly had no powers to suspend a member for more than 14 days. There have been several cases since then where the courts gave the same judgement.
Order 67(4) of the Senate Rules states that a Senator can only be suspended for a period not exceeding 14 days.
Natasha has a case of alleged defamation in court against an aide of Akpabio while Akpabio’s wife Unoma, sued Natasha for emotional trauma from her allegation against Akpabio.
