Senate Defends Natasha’s Suspension at IPU Amid Sexual Harassment Claims
The Nigerian Senate has escalated its dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the international arena. It now defends its suspension decision before the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). This move aims to counter Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment and unfair treatment.
Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chair of the House Committee on Women Affairs, presented the Senate’s case. She emphasized that the suspension stemmed from “gross misconduct,” not retaliation against harassment claims.
Origins of the Controversy
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of four female senators in Nigeria’s 109-member Senate, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. She linked her March 6, 2025 suspension to her petition against Akpabio. This has ignited debates on gender representation in Nigerian politics.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele refuted these claims in a letter to the IPU. He stated, “The Senate firmly denies the misinformation about Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.” Bamidele insisted the action resulted from “persistent misconduct and disregard for Senate rules.”
A History of Tension
The Akpoti-Uduaghan-Akpabio conflict dates back to February. It began with a dispute over changing her seat during a plenary. Tensions peaked in July 2024 when Akpabio publicly criticized her, saying “the Senate is not a nightclub.” He later apologized for this remark.
Reactions and Legal Challenges
The suspension has alarmed civil rights groups and women’s advocates. Hadiza Ado, a women’s rights activist, lamented, “It’s a sad day for Nigerian women seeking liberation.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan has appealed to the IPU for intervention. She told the assembly, “On March 6, 2025, I was illegally suspended for submitting a sexual harassment petition against Senator Akpabio.”
Legal battles have ensued. The Federal High Court in Abuja initially halted the Senate’s disciplinary process. However, Judge Obiora Egwuatu recently lifted this order, allowing the process to continue.
Broader Implications for Women in Politics
This case highlights women’s underrepresentation in Nigerian politics. Akpoti-Uduaghan is her state’s first female senator. Her suspension has reignited debates on challenges women face in Nigerian governance.
International Attention and Future Implications
The IPU’s involvement underscores this case’s global significance. As both parties present their arguments, the world watches closely. The outcome could set precedents for handling misconduct and harassment allegations in legislatures worldwide.
This ongoing saga keeps all eyes on the Nigerian Senate, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the IPU. Its resolution may shape the future of gender equality and parliamentary conduct globally.
