Nigerian Senate Breaks Silence: Natasha Akpoti Suspended for Misconduct, Not Sexual Harassment – SpringsNewsNG Exclusive”
Written by SpringsNewsNG Media Limited – March 13, 2025
The Nigerian Senate has defended its decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, clarifying before the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) that her suspension was due to gross misconduct and not allegations of sexual harassment.
Speaking at an IPU session on Wednesday, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that she was suspended for raising sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Ogbara, representing Nigeria at the session, said, “Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation. However, fairness must be upheld for all involved, and justice must not be predetermined.”
She reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to upholding women’s rights, highlighting ongoing legislative efforts such as the Reserve Seats Bill aimed at ensuring better female representation in governance.
Reading a statement from the Senate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said, “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behavior, not for any allegations of sexual harassment.”
The Senate accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate rules, engaging in disorderly conduct during plenary, refusing to sit in her assigned seat, and making disrespectful remarks towards Senate leadership.
Furthermore, the Senate noted that she failed to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which was investigating her conduct.
The Senate insisted that her suspension was necessary to maintain order in the legislative chamber and urged media organizations to correct any misrepresentations.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated the dispute by taking her case to the United Nations, calling for international intervention in Nigeria’s legislative affairs.
