Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her fight for justice to the United Nations (UN) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), seeking global intervention in what she describes as an injustice against women in Nigerian politics.
The Kogi Central lawmaker was suspended by the Nigerian Senate shortly after she submitted a petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and other misconduct. Akpabio has strongly denied the allegations.
However, Natasha’s suspension has sparked debates across Nigeria, with many questioning whether due process was followed. Now, she has taken the matter to an international stage, speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the IPU meeting at the UN in New York.
Natasha Calls Suspension Illegal
Addressing the gathering, Senator Natasha described her suspension as unlawful and an attempt to silence her.
“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio,” she said.
“I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition for a fair, transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended.”
She further linked her suspension to a broader issue of women’s representation in Nigerian politics, arguing that her case was not just personal but symbolic of how women are treated in leadership positions.
“This is a bigger picture. It depicts the crisis of women’s political representation. My suspension is not just about me. It’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria.”
Concerns Over Safety
After her speech, the senator expressed concern for her safety, claiming that she had received indications that she might be held against her will in New York for speaking out against the Senate President.
“The powers that be may try to hold me back for daring to speak at a global event,” she alleged.
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The Controversy That Led to Suspension
Senator Natasha’s suspension followed her submission of a petition accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment. Initially, the Senate dismissed her petition, and shortly after, she was suspended.
Her conflict with Akpabio, however, did not start with this case.
On February 20, 2025, an altercation occurred when her seat was changed during a Senate plenary session. The disagreement escalated into a heated exchange, adding to tensions between the two lawmakers.
Additionally, in July 2024, Akpabio publicly rebuked Natasha for alleged misconduct, saying she should follow the rules and adding that the Senate was “not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow.” The Senate President later apologized for the remark.
Akpabio Denies Allegations
Amid the controversy, Senate President Akpabio has denied the allegations, insisting that he has never harassed or assaulted any woman.
Despite her suspension, Senator Natasha has vowed to continue her fight against injustice, both for herself and for Nigerian women in leadership positions.