The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) over allegations of sexual harassment and her six-month suspension.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday, 11th March, Natasha informed the IPU of her alleged victimization by Akpabio. She accused Akpabio of making sexual advances toward her, an allegation that followed an earlier outburst over the seating arrangement at the Senate chamber. As a result of the altercation, she was suspended on 6th March 2025 for six months.
In an emotional speech, the senator sought justice and called for the intervention of global democratic institutions. She described her suspension from the Senate as “unlawful” and an act of injustice against her.
“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 assembly.
“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.”
Following her speech, she expressed concerns for her safety, claiming that “the powers that be” in Nigeria might attempt to detain her in New York for speaking out on the issue at the global event.
She said her suspension was not just about her but about the exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria.
“This is a clear case of political victimization, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption and gender-based violence,” she added.
See video below:
