The Nigerian Senate has suspended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, for six months without pay following a heated dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements and her allegations of sexual harassment against him. The suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025, has sparked widespread condemnation from legal experts, opposition parties, and civil society groups, who argue that the decision undermines due process and justice.
The controversy heightened after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during an interview on Arise Television on February 28, 2025. She claimed that the Senate President had made unwanted advances toward her and was frustrating her legislative duties after she rejected his alleged advances. Akpabio has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that he has never sexually harassed anyone in his life. He also revealed that he attended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s wedding and shared a close relationship with her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, adding that he even slept at the Dangote cement factory in Kogi State during her wedding due to logistical challenges.
The Senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for investigation. However, the committee found her guilty of violating Senate rules and recommended her suspension, citing her refusal to attend the investigative hearing to defend herself. The committee’s report, presented by its chairman, Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), proposed a six-month suspension, withdrawal of her salary and security details, and a ban on her representing the Senate domestically and internationally during the suspension period. The Senate adopted the recommendations after a voice vote, despite Akpoti-Uduaghan’s protest that “this injustice will not be sustained” before her microphone was cut off.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Victor Giwa, has condemned the suspension as illegal, citing a court order that restrained the Senate from taking further action on the matter pending the determination of a motion on notice. Giwa argued that the Senate’s decision violated the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to seek redress in court when their civil rights are breached. He revealed that legal action would be taken against those responsible for disregarding the court order and vowed to challenge the suspension in court.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and opposition parties have also criticized the Senate’s handling of the case. The Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, described the suspension as an act of intimidation and called for a fair hearing. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed concern over the Senate’s decision, with Atiku describing it as an attack on affirmative action and gender inclusivity. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party have called for an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations and urged the Senate to reconsider the suspension.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case has drawn significant public attention, with many questioning the Senate’s commitment to justice and due process. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has not only highlighted the challenges faced by women in Nigerian politics but also raised concerns about the integrity of the legislative process. The outcome of the court case and the Senate’s next steps will be closely watched as the nation grapples with the implications of this high-profile controversy.
