The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following her petition alleging sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The suspension, which has sparked widespread outrage, was recommended by the Senate’s ethics committee after her complaint was dismissed on procedural grounds.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan first made the allegations in an interview last Friday, accusing one of Nigeria’s most influential politicians of misconduct. However, instead of initiating an investigation, the Senate ruled that her petition had violated procedural rules.
The ethics committee subsequently determined that her actions had “brought ridicule” to the legislative body and proposed a six-month suspension. While some lawmakers suggested reducing the suspension to three months, the majority upheld the ethics committee’s recommendation.
Backlash and Protests
The suspension has drawn criticism from women’s rights activists and the public, with many calling for an independent investigation into the senator’s claims. Hadiza Ado, founder of the Women and Children Initiative, described the development as a “sad day for Nigerian women.”
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“We’ve been closely following this case, hoping that a fair and transparent investigation would take place,” Ado told the BBC. “Instead, what we have seen is a move that further silences women in politics. Out of 109 senators, only four are women, and now one of them has been suspended.”
Social media has been flooded with reactions condemning the Senate’s decision, with many users calling it an act of oppression. Critics argue that rather than addressing the allegations, the legislative body chose to punish the accuser.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated outside the National Assembly on Wednesday as two groups of protesters gathered—one supporting Akpabio and another demanding his resignation. Chants of “Akpabio must go” echoed through the capital, reflecting the deep divide over the issue.
Senator Vows to Fight On
In response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the decision as an “injustice that will not be sustained.” She reaffirmed her commitment to seeking justice, stating that she would not be intimidated into silence.
As part of the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan has been barred from entering the National Assembly premises, and her office has been locked. However, calls for a transparent probe into her allegations continue to grow, with many Nigerians demanding accountability at the highest levels of government.
