The controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shows no sign of fading, as the Kogi Central lawmaker has now taken her fight for justice to the global stage. Days after being suspended from the Senate for alleged rule violations, she addressed the Women in Parliament session at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Meeting at the United Nations in New York, seeking intervention from international democratic institutions.
Speaking at the event, Senator Natasha described her suspension as a blatant attempt to silence her after she submitted a petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment. She argued that instead of a fair and transparent investigation, she was punished for speaking up.
“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 claimed that her suspension reflects a broader issue of gender exclusion in Nigeria’s political leadership, stating:
“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.”
Following her speech, Senator Natasha expressed concerns about her security, alleging that powerful individuals in Nigeria might attempt to detain her in New York for speaking on the issue at an international forum.
Her suspension last week has sparked widespread debate across the country, with critics questioning the Senate’s decision to dismiss her petition before ultimately expelling her from the chamber. Despite the backlash, she has vowed to continue fighting what she calls an injustice.
On the other hand, Senate President Akpabio has firmly denied all allegations, maintaining that he has never assaulted women.
The tension between both lawmakers dates back to previous altercations, including an incident in July 2024 when Akpabio reprimanded Senator Natasha for misconduct, stating that the Senate was “not a nightclub.” Although he later apologized, the relationship between the two has remained strained.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether international intervention will influence any resolution.
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